Lockdown scuppers Gold Cup plans
The club is back in the prestigious Gold Cup and is due to compete amongst the best in South Africa.
The lockdown the country is currently under due to the Covid-19 outbreak has forced many changes in people’s routines and Brakpan Rugby Club’s chairperson Harry Niewenhuis is no different.
The man who has been with the club for 43 years and part of the committee for 30, has found himself not being able to go to the Bosman Stadium every night as he is used to.
“It’s different,” he explained.
“Especially on Saturdays. My neighbours are surprised to see me at home on weekends. It does give me a chance to do some repair work around the house.”
The chairperson has, however, not been able to completely stay away from his beloved club and Bosman Stadium.
“We have two to five members of the management of the club each night at the stadium doing some work,” he said.
“We are there cutting grass, cleaning and working at the stadium.
“We have to be ready for when we get the go-ahead. But we can’t go outside of what’s expected.”
The lockdown has been a pity for Brakpan as many around the club were excited about the players they had recruited for the season.
“We were really geared up for this season but this is something we could not control,” said Niewenhuis.
The club is back in the prestigious Gold Cup and is due to compete amongst the best in South Africa.
“There are talks that the season could start on June 1,” he said.
“We would need about a month to get ready after the lockdown.
“That’s not just us but all the clubs would need time to prepare. We can’t just jump back in.”
While it is not easy to stay fit, Niewenhuis is encouraged by the knowledge that the players have been training on their own to stay fit.
The situation is new to a man who has seen most things in rugby as a player, coach and administrator.
He joined the Brakpan Rugby Club as an u-19 player back in 1977 and played for them until 1990.
“I’ve been a selector, manager and coach,” he said.
In that time there is one thing that sticks in Niewehuis’ mind.
“This club has a rich history,” he said.
“It has a culture that needs to be protected.”
The chairperson’s dream is to see his beloved club winning the Gold Cup and becoming the number one side in the country.
“We’ve come close and came third a couple of times,” he added.
If the 2020 season does not kick off, which is a possibility, then Brakpan will prepare for 2021 which is its centenary year.
Niewenhuis hopes to see his dream for the club realised in the 100th year as he looks to call time in his career after the 2021 season.
Read: Rugby team eager to get back on the field
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