British support for Dolphins rugby

A tangible atmosphere of excitement and gratitude filled the air when the Ballito Dolphins development rugby teams received their new kit last week.

English rugby club, Esher, donated a huge shipment of rugby jerseys and boots which were handed over to the team on Wednesday, February 4.

“When the Esher U16 rugby team contacted the Ballito Dolphins, we had no idea that the outgrown and discarded kit would be of any value,” said Esher rugby club’s Jim Hazel, who happens to be a former South African.

He said Esher and the Dophins faced similar challenges such as player development and retention in the face of elite pathways controlled by a relatively small group of private schools.

“What we do not face is the challenge of making rugby a socially inclusive sport in the face of poverty that kept children from participating,” said Hazel.

He said Esher management were surprised to learn that a single train fare for the English boys who travel the furthest to play for Esher could transport a squad of 50 from the township for training.

Hazel said the Esher U16’s will continue to work with the junior captain Mark Svenningsen in his quest to make rugby an inclusive sport in the Ballito area.

“We must express our gratitude to Esher and especially Jim Hazel and his family who initiated this donation. This will act as a catalyst on our junior development programme and we are in discussion with Esher to take our association further,” said Svenningsen.

He said the club also needed more local support to deliver rugby to the historically disadvantaged communities who were very much part of the North Coast landscape.

“We as a club are working towards building a club for all,” said Svenningsen.