Poorte hosts 2020 AGM
Poorte also revealed that they have secured Hoërskool Die Burger as a second facility for 2021 to 2023, while the Ruimsig Stadium undergoes a revamp to the value of R150 million.
On Saturday, 31 October the Roodepoort Rugby Club members held their annual general meeting (AGM) at Ramkiki Country Restaurant and Conference Centre in Ruimsig.
Club President, Mathys Booyens welcomed all coaches, players, committee members, sponsors and guests to the 2020 AGM.
He revealed that one of the key challenges the club faced in 2019 was finances, as balancing and managing the cash flow proved to be a real challenge.
“The season started off on a high note; we had two friendlies where teams were split completely, we tested combinations, welcomed new players and had great fun on the field, not knowing what was on its way,” said Mathys.
The national lockdown forced Poorte’s youth charges to miss an entire season, and various companies closed and lost more than 90 per cent of their income.
On the positive side of things, the Ruimsig Stadium revamp went out on tender at the end of 2019, and although the process is not yet finalised, things look promising.
The APCAN Security Group is the new naming rights sponsor for the club on a three-year deal, and Jhb Bobbies Rugby Club has merged with Roodepoort and will be represented as Roodepoort Scorpions in the Senior Grand Challenge in 2021.
Gauteng SAPS will fall under Roodepoort and be represented in the National Week as such, while the club will have two ladies teams in the Pirates Grand Challenge for the following year.
Poorte also revealed that they have secured Hoërskool Die Burger as a second facility for 2021 to 2023, while the Ruimsig Stadium undergoes a revamp to the value of R150 million.
“I want to close off by saying – we are in hell right now, gentlemen, but if we do not kneel as a team in 2021, this club will crumble. The inches we need are everywhere around us, and we have been taught that if we do not have guts there will not be any glory.
“We will build a new Roodepoort Rugby Club that will have character, pride and a brotherhood built on family values,” concluded Mathys.
The same committee was re-elected for next year, but combined with SAPS and Bobbies representation to expand the working committee.
Veteran prop, Ian Pottas was named the new Club Captain while the five golden oldies teams will be run by Kalla Barnard.
The Committee for 2021:
• Mathys Booyens – Chairman
• Rene Benjamin – VC admin and events
• Andre van Rensburg – VC finance
• Dennis Armstrong – VC commercial and legal
• Gary Hemingway – Honorary Chair
• Louw Parsons – Head Coach
• Natanya Barnard – Events
• Colonel Moses Lekalakala – SAPS representative
