“It’s about giving back to my alma mater. It was amazing to see the willingness of the boys to learn.”
This is what Rob Lang, College Old Boy and professional rugby coach, had to say about the recent rugby clinic he presented at Potchefstroom High School for Boys.
According to him, the idea of the clinic was to take the first steps in getting rugby at College where it once was, not too long ago.
“It all started with a chat with an old classmate of mine, Peter Morey. He asked why I don’t go out and help Boys’ High with their rugby. Within a month, everything was in place,” Rob said.
Some of his former classmates came together to raise funds to get Rob from Cape Town to Potch for the weekend. He offered his services to the school for free. Rob has been a rugby coach for almost 20 years.
The clinic took place from 22 to 25 July, and he had to hit the ground running with the first session starting at 15:00 that Friday afternoon.
During the weekend, the players spent time in the lecture hall, learning how to play the game, and then spent time on the field covering the basics.
“We worked on their catch, pass, defend, attack and rucking. Also the “four Ws, – what you are going to do, why you are going to do it, where you are going to do it when you are going to do it. I was sur- prised at how much they improved, I was extremely proud of these players. I hope their coaches continue with what they have learnt and keep growing rugby at College,” Rob explained.
According to Liane van der Merwe, the acting principal of Boys’ High, it was wonderful to see this initiative from the Old Boys.
“We appreciate the Old Boys for coming on board and helping out. It would be wonderful for the sport to see it grow at the school,” she said.
“This is a fantastic example of a bunch of Old Boys putting up their hands and translating talk, concern and ideas into action in asking “what can we do for our alma mater,” said Julian Eisenhamme on the Potch Old Boys’ Facebook page.