SPORTS: Highlanders holds under new pressure

Even a confident Swanepoel noted the costs of hosting Premier Division, under-20 and Third Division teams would entail hundreds of thousands of Rand in expenses.

October 28, 2017

Bruce Douglas 1 minute read

Highlanders will continue to chase glory, despite imminent funding cuts by the Sharks Rugby Union.

Club rugby has been dealt a huge blow by the Sharks Rugby Union.

Boschpick Highlanders head coach, Andre Swanepoel confirmed that after 2018, the union will no longer extend financial support to clubs in KwaZulu-Natal.

While many clubs face uncertain times, for Highlanders it’s business as usual.

“Highlanders always believed in not only relying on grants, but also looking at other ways and means to run the club. Without a good financial base, you can’t run a rugby club efficiently.”

Thanks in part to sponsors and the many who supported Highlanders year after year, Swanepoel said the club could still host home games of high standard for both visiting clubs and their support base.

Yet the revoking of financial support could spell doom for other rugby clubs.

ALSO READ: Andre Swanepoel takes positives from the rugby season

Even a confident Swanepoel noted the costs of hosting Premier Division, under-20 and Third Division teams would entail hundreds of thousands of Rand in expenses.

“The support the Sharks gave financially each year was a huge plus for all clubs in KZN. Without this, I think some clubs will not make it. Some rely totally on the grant to survive.”

Highlanders’ management is in negotiation with the Pumas Rugby Union to perhaps join the Premier League in Mpumalanga.

This will result in less travel compared to the past two years.

Once the Pumas Rugby Union made its offer and Highlanders decided on the way forward, Swanepoel said the budget could then be determined.

Swanepoel also emphasised the funding cut would not affect team leadership.

“All committee members looking after administration and coaching at Highlanders do so with no payment and in their own time, so this should not have an effect on the standard of admin and coaching at the club,” he concluded.

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