Pionier responds to doping allegations

FIRST team coach of Hoërskool Pionier’s rugby team, Buks Scheepers, describes the recent rumours of illegal substance abuse at the school as a “slap in the face.”

“The story was very upsetting for me,” he said. “It’s quite heartbreaking, in fact. If I catch a kid doing illegal things, they will not play. If you are not prepared to work hard, don’t be involved.”

Scheepers prides himself on the hard work and dedication of the players he trains and maintains that the team’s success boils down to the focus and discipline the boys display.

“There’s a big difference between legal supplements and illegal substances,” stated Scheepers, who has many years of coaching experience at the school. “And it’s easy enough to pick up tell-tale signs when a player is using illegal substances. It shows in their performance.”

First Team captain, Marco ‘Tjoppie’ Fuhri, concurs, accrediting the team’s achievements to discipline on and off the field and a healthy respect for their coach and each other. He responded to the doping allegations with respectful reproach, stating, “People must realise, it’s all about hard work.”

Fuhri, who was recently granted a two-year contract with the Blue Bulls, encourages other young players, passionate about the sport, to also work hard to achieve their dreams without subjecting themselves to the negative effects of drugs and illegal substances.

“You don’t have to be in a big school to be noticed,” he states, with Pionier having only a small amount of rugby playing pupils to choose from, in comparison to some of the other schools they have played against in recent history. “Bring net jou kant, werk hard, en jy sal die vrugte pluk.”

“All players are tested for illegal substances when they are selected for provincial,” added Scheepers. “To take that risk, at that level, would just be stupid.”

Scheepers openly acknowledges that some players use supplements, but maintains that the only supplements he recommends to his team are legal and backed by the Sharks Rugby Union.

“Hier by Pionier is ons trots op alles wat ons doen en op alles wat ons bereik het,” says Head Boy, Hannis Vreken, in response to the rumours that surfaced recently. “Dit wat ons bereik het, het ons deur ‘n doodeerlike en regverdige manier gedoen.”

Vreken goes on to say, “Ons is een groot familie hier by Pionier Hoërskool wat omgee vir mekaar.” This sentiment is seconded by Head Girl, Karla Combrinck, who adds, “Ons staan almal saam, ons help mekaar en ons staan bymekaar om mekaar op te bou.”

The school has embraced this opportunity to further educate their pupils on the dangers of illegal substance abuse in sport and, with that in mind, Natal Varsity Sports, in conjunction with the Sharks Rugby Union will be visiting the school in the near future to address this issue.

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