A new home for the Sharks while sister clubs merge

Newcastle is set to become the Cell C Sharks 15’s home away from home and rugby in town is set for a massive boost.

Coupled with this, the Newcastle Boschpick Highlanders have partnered with the Newcastle Hockey Club, to help develop and uplift both sports in Newcastle.

The amalgamation comes at a time when the KwaZulu-Natal Rugby Union (KZNRU) President, Graham Mackenzie, earmarked Newcastle as the perfect spot for the Northern KZN rugby development programme.

“We can only start development with the proper facilities.”

“Thus we will be partnering with the Newcastle Municipality and private investors to begin development of the current facilities, so that by the end of this year, the facilities can host provincial games,” said Mr Mackenzie.

He explained there were many challenges facing the development of the Newcastle Arbor Park rugby facilities, which is why he had personally travelled to Newcastle to discuss the development programme with the municipality.

“The municipality has been really helpful and cooperative and we are thankful to them for that,” said Mr Mackenzie.

What does the development mean for Newcastle?

It means the Sharks 15 will visit Newcastle annually to play matches, plus provincial games will now be hosted in Newcastle.

“We will also be introducing training camps in the town to help identify players worthy of making both provincial and national squads.”

The initiative will allow clubs and schools to have a place to call home and train as well, and will be shared as the second home of the Sharks.

Better still, is that avid rugby fans will have the opportunity to see some of their favourite national players, playing in Newcastle!

In fact, Mr Mackenzie committed to having the Sharks 15 play the Vodacom Cup games in Newcastle.

“Once the turf and fields are addressed and brought up to the best standard, the Sharks will begin making use of Newcastle as a training camp as well.”

Both the Sharks 15 and the KZNRU are putting the full force of their backing behind this project.

Already the private sponsorship can be noticed as developments have started at Arbor Park Sports Grounds.

A new locker room, and fencing around the grounds have already been commissioned and are currently being developed at the grounds.

Why Newcastle?

“Newcastle has been named the headquarters of NKZN, because the club has hosted club union tournaments in the past.

The facilities are available and need to be developed slightly to incorporate the facilities needed to host professional games, but this will happen in time,” explained Mr Mackenzie.

He continued that the main objective of the development camp was to find all the talent available throughout the region.

Highlanders’ head coach, Andre Swanepoel was jubilant over the decision to bring the development camp to Newcastle, and thanked all the sponsors and KZNRU for the time and effort they have put into Newcastle.

“We have an amazing season ahead of us, and we have a great goal to play for. We want to showcase the talent Newcastle has.”

He also welcomed the Newcastle Hockey Club and the merger of the two sporting groups.

He believed that together, the two groups could create a development base for both sporting groups by using the full extent of the Arbor Park Grounds.

Chairperson of the Newcastle Hockey Club, Dean Bond said the merger was a definite step in the right direction to promoted and develop both sports.