Sport

Local rugby player pursues his dreams overseas

Matthew Walbank is in need of financial assistance as he is headed to the World Cup in July. Touch rugby is a pay to play sport so Matthew has to fund his own trip.

Kempton Park resident Matthew Walbank is a 22-year-old touch rugby player for the Easterns Touch Association (ETA) provincial team.

He is studying towards a degree in zoology and biochemistry.

Matthew said he has a passion for touch rugby and has now been selected to represent South Africa as part of the men’s open team, which will participate in the Touch World Cup.

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The world cup will take place in Nottingham England from July 15 to 21.

“This is a huge opportunity for me because not only will I be representing my country, but I also have the opportunity to play with and against some of the world’s best touch players.

“I plan to bring back to South Africa the knowledge and skills I acquire from this experience. I want to share it with all touch rugby players, including the junior provincial players I coach,” he said.

He said that he has been playing provincial touch rugby since 2015 for the Easterns Touch Association, five years in the junior ranks and three years in the men’s open team.

“I have achieved gold and silver medals during my participation in provincial tournaments over this period. In 2023, I was named top try scorer in the league with 42 tries in 12 games,” he said.

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“I have a dedicated training resume which consists of five days at the gym, I run twice a week and have touch rugby training two to three times a week.

“My motto is, start unknown, finish unforgettable.”

Touch rugby is a pay-to-play sport which means that Matthew will be responsible for funding himself for the World Cup event and is pleading with anyone who can help him raise the funds to contact him.

The estimated cost will be around R65 000.

Anyone who can help Matthew may contact him on 066 216 8886 or 082 434 8996.

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