NKZN rugby dusts off the boots after lockdown

The Northern KwaZulu-Natal Rugby Union hosted its annual general meeting (AGM) last week, assuring club members that rugby was back on track following the enforced shutdown of the sport during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Sentraal Rugby Club is a long-standing member of the Union.
President Peet van der Merwe said the 2022 rugby season had finally gotten underway after the lockdown lay-off.
“Clubs were also given the opportunity to rebuild themselves after the impact of Covid-19. The NKZN council has relaxed some of the rules for the season to help clubs organise themselves for the upcoming season,” he explained.
For the 2023 season, a proposed rethink of the league structure will determine how best the clubs can participate, possibly extending the league beyond the sub-union borders.
The Union has encouraged clubs to begin an off-season programme to encourage more members to participate and play rugby.
Van der Merwe suggested that more third division players get to play in their club’s first and second rugby teams, and all clubs are to be Boksmart accredited for the 2023 season.
Turning to the administration and financial aspects of the past season, he said NKZN rugby was grateful for the R20,000 grant that had been distributed to all clubs in the league – without which the clubs would have been unable to complete the season.
He added that the NKZN Rugby Sub-Union will be unable to function without further immediate funding in order to continue into the 2023 season.
“Thank you to all clubs for helping to keep their offices open by contributing financially to the administration.
“Thank you to TWK Agri for your sponsorship and support over the last three years. Thank you to all the clubs for your patience and the alternative arrangements you made to meet your financial obligations. I must remind all clubs that sound financial administration and management must remain the top priority in club financial management.”
Van der Merwe added that, “The Northern KZN Rugby Sub-Union is made up of clubs and players from Volksrust, Newcastle, Utrecht, Dundee/Glencoe, Dannhauser, Vryheid, Ozisweni, Piet Retief and Ladysmith, and the council is made up of people from these towns.
“It is therefore your responsibility to promote the game of rugby in the region, to foster a spirit of loyalty, and to be positive in order to propel this sub-union to a higher level in the KZN rugby fraternity,” he concluded.