Highlanders celebrate successful season

After a very successful season, Boschpick Newcastle Highlanders held their AGM and prize giving in September.

The players and their families started off the day with a social game of bowls at Newcastle Bowling Club, a definite change of pace for the rugby lads.

The club bid farewell to chairman, Wynand van Rensburg, and welcomed new chairperson, Mandla Mthaki and new vice chairman, Llewellyn Grey.

Mr Mthaki thanked the players and coaches for their extraordinary efforts in the past season. He also congratulated all the prizewinners.

“With the new committee and the talent our players have shown, we are ready to take the club to the next level,” he said. “It was unfortunate that we lost out due to a technicality in the promotion relegation match, after drawing with Empangeni.”

Prizes were awarded as follows:

Most Tries Scored – Ferrari Hadebe – 14 tries.

Most Points Scored – Mornè Hattingh – 141 points

Most Loyal Player – Siboniso Mdluli

Player With Best Potential – Nico-Jan Chowles

Best Progress – Ferrari Hadebe

Clubman of the Year – Adriaan Koorts

Best Defender of the Year – Max Mkhize

Junior Player of the Year – Gift Mabaso

Senior Player of the Year – Innis Visser

Sportsman of the Year – Robert Everson

Team of the Year – Highlanders First Team

On November 10, Graham Mackenzie, President of the KwaZulu-Natal Rugby Union and Sharks board member, met with Highlanders Rugby Club committee and officials from the Newcastle Municipality.

Discussions were held regarding the development of rugby in the area, as well as the improvement of the facility in Arbor Park. If the facility is redeveloped, there will be a good possibility that Vodacom Cup games can be played in Newcastle.

Highlanders’ first matches for 2015 have already been confirmed. On February 28 they will go up against the Jaguars and on March 7 they will clash with Richards Bay.

“We are looking forward to the 2015 season and rugby has a bright future in Newcastle,” said head coach, Andrè Swanepoel. “Training will start on January 5 at 6pm at the Arbor Park fields, and we can’t wait.”