Andre Swanepoel takes positives from the rugby season
Despite the blow of relegation, Swanepoel said it boiled down to what the players and management made of the situation.
For Andre Swanepoel, it’s all about what you make of a situation.
Despite Highlanders’ recent relegation from the Premier Division, the team’s head coach has taken stock of what good came from two years amid the top teams in KwaZulu-Natal.
And the team is also not taking demotion lying down.
Highlanders, South Coast Warriors and Jaguars were relegated from the division at the end of this season, a decision which local management aims to appeal.
“If the appeal doesn’t work, we will pursue the NKZN League title and Dewar Shield, and fight for a return to the Premier Division as soon as possible.”
Swanepoel said dropping from the Premier Division also placed a damper on the Highlanders hockey side, which benefited from good relations with Durban clubs.
Thus it was a sore point for Highlanders overall.
“It was easier to arrange matches for both sporting codes when a team was in town and when we travelled.”
Despite the blow of relegation, Swanepoel said it boiled down to what the players and management made of the situation.
He believed the positive way forward was to not sit back.
“We looked at the pros and cons and found the Premier Division has more pros.”
Highlanders is currently in discussion with rugby clubs from Mpumalanga, to organise a cross-border league for local clubs.
Swanepoel said this would be a huge boon to the club.
He is also keen on applying the knowledge and tactics learned during the team’s two-year stint in the Premier Division.
“If we take what we’ve learned in this division, we can be back to the Premier Division quickly. In two years, we’ve grown so much in terms of players, coaching, referees and sponsors.”
To his players, Swanepoel reminded them to hone their individual positional skills during the off-season and maintain their fitness.
For example, kickers should make 80 per cent of practise kicks.
“Fitness is always key. The fittest athletes always win; if you consider the top athletes in the world, you’ll see that’s true.”
The final event for this year is the Highlanders combined prize giving and annual general meeting, which takes place on September 30 at the clubhouse (Arbor Park Grounds) from 2pm onwards.
Rugby season for 2018 begins as early as January 11.
“Club trials will be held at the end of February and we hope to play three friendlies during March.”
Remember to visit our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages.
Add us on WhatsApp today! 082 874 5550
and BBM pin D1EF333B.
You can also email our offices on Reveshni Douglas at reveshni@caxton.co.za Quinton Boucher at newsun@caxton.co.za Bruce Douglas at Newed2@caxton.co.za Tersia Gopi at newed@caxton.co.za Zianne Leibrandt at ncschools@caxton.co.za
