Alberton Madalas is more than just a rugby team

The Alberton Madalas is a golden oldies rugby team from Alberton with players over the age of 35 who still has a passion for the game.

The Madalas have a long and proud history of not only being a rugby team but also for the brotherhoods formed by current players as well as old players.

For a time the team broke up but they reformed in 2011. The golden oldies teams have a get-together once a month where they play friendlies at different clubs in the area.

Apart from the monthly competitions, there is also a once-a-year nationals held in different provinces and attended by teams across the country.

With the nationals comes a tradition. The Madalas, who have played three nationals, are given a permanent number to play with.

Madalas are one of the teams that are fortunate to have more than one team that can play, which allows players to be rested and give the next player a chance.

One of the most important rules in the golden oldies is that you never remember the score after the last whistle blows.

One of the big things that the Madalas are proud of is that they are a family-orientated club, meaning that their family always go along to support them and are also given a kit to wear when the team plays.

The Madalas have players ranging from guys that are beginning to play rugby to experienced players.

Players each play in different colour pants depending on age and injury, with each colour having a different perk, for instance, a player with red pants can’t be tackled but can only run a few meters before he needs to pass the ball.

The biggest rival for the Madalas is the Hillbillies, a golden oldies team from the Union Rugby Club that usually delivers some tight rugby when these two teams face each other in the Kevin de Klerk Cup, played annually.

The team practices every Monday and Wednesday evening at the Alberton Rugby Club where the team plays touch rugby.

If you are interested in joining the Alberton Madalas, contact the chairperson Cor van Wyk on 083 445 8631 or Jurgens Wessels on 071 102 8884.