Valkie rugby helps develop future stars through grassroots competition

Valkie rugby continued to develop young players’ skills, with Laerskool Birchleigh and Laerskool Edleen among the schools showcasing their growing potential during matches held at Laerskool Impala on May 30.

The two schools went head-to-head against each other and other participating teams, giving the young players valuable game time and exposure.

Despite their age, the boys showed determination, effort, noticeable improvement and strong team spirit, clearly reflecting their passion for the sport.

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The Laerskool Birchleigh side, many of whom were playing rugby for the first time, impressed with their progress under the guidance of their coaches.

Laerskool Birchleigh U7 coach Robyn Duncan said the programme plays an important role in introducing children to the sport and helping them grow in confidence.

“It is really great developing the children from a young age and getting them into rugby. We have a good challenge in that we are all ladies coaching the Valkies and we have a lot of children, but we are learning together,” she said.

“It is a good thing in my eyes because we have many boys who are willing and wanting to play rugby. Our boys had never played before; this was their first time playing rugby and they are doing amazingly.

“They have developed well and we received many compliments from other schools as well. They have gone from not being able to play to having some standout players in the team,” Duncan added.

The programme has contributed to noticeable skill development, with players now able to execute basic passes, run into space, attack and defend more effectively.

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For their age group, the progress has been significant, with shy learners gaining confidence, working as a team and enjoying the experience.

The initiative also helped the boys build friendships and a sense of belonging, as they learned the importance of teamwork, respect and enjoyment of the game.

Laerskool Edleen U7 coach Johann Smuts said the focus is on building strong fundamentals that will benefit players as they progress to higher levels of rugby.

“It is important to teach the boys basic skills, how to pass the ball and how to play as a team. It is a good development platform for them,” he said.

“At this level, you want them to learn to run into space rather than always into contact. It teaches them valuable lessons for when they are older and playing more competitive rugby.

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“At the beginning, the boys didn’t really understand how to pass properly, but now they can put together two or three passes and are far more aware of their teammates.

“They no longer just throw the ball anywhere; they are actually looking for their players and passing with intention,” Smuts added.