Valke Rugby Union to invest in its youth
A fund-raising golf day will be hosted in November
IN a bid to retain its talented players, the Valke Rugby union plans to implement a high performance feeder programme.
“It is now commonly accepted that the South African rugby landscape will change dramatically from 2016 onwards. Apart from the amended Super Rugby competition, the most tangible will be the altered junior competition that will centre around the U/20 age group,” said Jurie Coetzee, CEO of the Valke.
“This programme could benefit rugby unions which is currently in the same position as the Valke in creating junior players of note for both the union and national squad.”
The rugby talent that is produced in the Valke province specifically, but also in the Gauteng area in general, should be retained and prepared to compete on the highest levels against the best at offer, Coetzee added.
“Currently these players are leaving the province due to an absence of an elite programme and will continue to do so unless a successful high performance feeder programme is implemented,” he said.
Solitaire Solutions, a locally based outsourcing company, has agreed to support this very important cause and proposed an annual golf day to improve funds and facilities to establish an environment that is conducive to effective development and elite coaching for these young Valke rugby prospects.
Funding is needed to provide coaching, accommodation, meals, kit and clothing, equipment and attire, supplementation and strapping among other. This then being the aim of the golf day to be hosted at Kempton Park Golf Club, home of Ernie Els, on Friday, November 20.
Corporates, the Valke senior rugby team sponsored by Hino South Africa, as well as a handful of rugby heroes in the likes of the legendary Naas Botha, world cup winner Krynauw Otto, Jannie de Beer, Deon Oosthuysen, Werner Swanepoel, Braam Els, Piet Krause, Vodacom cup winning captain for the Valke, and Breyton Paulse will all join to make this a memorable day.
“The geopolitical area of the Valke Rugby Union, which includes Ekurhuleni and Sedibeng with its vast diverse communities and economic powerhouses, deserves a competitive and sustainable feeder source that might just as well rise to one of the few rugby powers in the near future,” Coetzee said.
