Olympia Park School’s first rugby team has been crowned Valke Division 5A champions after edging Vaalpark High School 29-28 in a gripping final on July 25, completing an unbeaten league campaign and securing a place in the Noordvaal Cup.

Head coach Henkie Goosen told the Springs Advertiser that the title was a significant milestone for both the school and its rugby programme.

“This win is a big achievement for Olympia Park School and our rugby programme. As an LSEN school, we are competing against mainstream schools. It meant a lot to the players because they started practising in February,” he said.

He said the game was nerve-wracking, with Olympia scoring a try before Vaalpark High responded with one of their own.

Goosen added that, from the second half onwards, the boys showed tremendous determination to maintain their lead. He praised his team’s defensive effort, saying it proved decisive in the closing stages.

“Our defence was great right up to the final whistle. We made use of the little ball possession we had and capitalised when we had to.”

Preparation for the final began well before match day, with the coaching staff ensuring the players were mentally ready for different scenarios.

“During the week before the final, Armand Kruger and I would talk through and practise the situations the players could expect.

“I kept the players calm and told them to believe in themselves, stick to the game plan and focus on their defensive structures. In a final, we must leave everything on the field,” he said.

Goosen credited the players for their commitment throughout the season, saying their dedication extended beyond regular training sessions.

He expressed that the players put in a lot of hours during the preseason, the season and even the holidays and were able to motivate each other to attend practice and lifted one another when games became tough.

Although the team remained unbeaten, maintaining momentum was not always easy. Some fixtures were cancelled because opposing schools did not have teams available, making it challenging to keep the squad match fit and motivated.

The coach also thanked the school community for its unwavering support.

“Our principal, educators and parents were excellent. Their support helped the players during games, and we are very thankful for everything they did throughout the season,” he said.

Goosen also said the success was built over two years and was the result of patience and perseverance.

“The building phase wasn’t always sunshine and rainbows. We had to put in hard hours of work and coaching. The team believes they must be an example for the rest of the school, and the other teams are always supporting the first team.”

He also praised a talented group of players, several of whom have already earned representative honours.

Reflecting on the championship campaign, Goosen expressed that he hoped the players would carry the lessons they had learned into the future.

“They worked hard for this season and deserve this title. I hope they have learned that if you put in the effort, you will succeed in the end.

“I always tell them that nobody forced them to play rugby. They play because they enjoy it, so go and enjoy the game and give everything on the field,” he said.

There will be little time to celebrate, however, with Olympia Park now turning its attention to the Noordvaal Cup, which begins on August 8.

The school qualified for the Noordvaal Cup, and the coach indicated that the boys will start preparing for that now.

With most of the squad still made up of junior players, he is confident the team has a strong foundation to defend its title next season.

“Most of the players are still juniors and will be available again next year. We have a solid foundation to build on as we look to defend our title,” concluded Goosen.