The union has recruited fourteen RugbyParticipation Officers (PO’s) to newly created roles in grassroots rugby across Wales to spearhead the scheme.

The new officers are contracted until 2014, and are based in rugby strongholds across the East and West of South Wales in accordance with Regional rugby demarcations, with two full time positions also delegated to North Wales.

Two officers will cover the Cardiff region, whilst there are two new members of staff looking after the Newport, Gwent and Caerphilly areas, a further six are dotted along the M4 corridor taking in Swansea, Bridgend, Neath/Port Talbot, Rhondda/Merthyr and Pontypridd & Cynon Valley, with two based in Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire and two spread across the East and West of North Wales.

The new ‘army’ of rugby ambassadors will go out into their communities with the particular aim of enhancing participation by children, adults and girls and will target three key areas:

Promote opportunities to play rugby in primary schools.
Deliver touch rugby programmes in secondary schools.
Develop a new summer adult ‘tough rugby’ programme and a commercially viable ‘pay to play’ series.
The new team will head into the schools and communities across Wales to explain how rugby can help its participants, both young and old, and enhance their involvement in the game.

The WRU officers will focus on getting children, young people and adults into the habit of being participants in activities which will improve their health.

The project has been launched in alignment with £400,000 of Sport Wales funding over the next three years and involves activity in every region of the nation.

The initiative is part of the WRU strategy to increase family participation in rugby at grassroots level to protect the future of the game in Wales.

It has been closely aligned to Welsh Government policy which is aimed at encouraging the nation to get into the habit of being active.

The idea is for physical activity to remain a key element of their lifestyle as they grow into adulthood.

In the initial stages the focus of the PO’s will be on physical activity with rugby becoming a more prominent factor as the children develop an interest in sport.

The officers will operate within the primary and secondary school systems working closely with local authority teaching staff.

They will also organise touch rugby programmes for girls and boys in secondary schools and develop adult touch rugby programmes and a series of get-fit rugby based activities.

Some of these activities should offer commercial opportunities and this will form the basis of a plan to continue the funding of the project after the initial three year funded period.

The Group Chief Executive of the WRU, Roger Lewis, said: “The WRU is leading the way forward in creating and supporting children and families with positive rugby based learning programmes. Our desire is to work in partnership with like minded people such as Sport Wales to create a Welsh unity of purpose is a strong message to our nation.

“This is all about teamwork. In this environment there is no room for critics in the grandstand. We have got to get out there and do something positive.

“The WRU is committed to a spirit of cooperation and partnership to ensure we develop and prosper in these difficult times. We are putting considerable real money and effort behind this.”

The WRU National Development Manager, Jason Lewis, said: “We believe offering alternative forms of the game will encourage more of the target groups to engage with rugby.

“This new army of participation officers are an integral part of the WRU’s planning for the future and each of them carries a great weight of responsibility on their shoulders as we aim to not only maintain but significantly increase participation levels in our national sport in the years to come.

“Wales punches above its weight in the national game when you compare the population of our small country, and the participation levels within it, to our bigger cousins not only in England and France, but virtually throughout the top tier nations.

“But we cannot afford to rest on our laurels and, although rugby is our national sport, we are nowhere near the saturation levels we could be.

“Offering alternative forms of the game will, we believe, encourage more of these target groups to engage with rugby. The WRU has some bold targets to achieve in terms of growth over the next four years and we are looking for a 25% increase in participation numbers in that time.

“In creating the new roles, existing staff have been allowed to focus more deeply on more traditional forms of the game. Player Development Officers can now work more closely with secondary schools, clubs and the WRU’s own player development pathway from U12 to U16.”

Professor Laura McAllister, Chair of Sport Wales, added: “The WRU should be commended for looking at alternative forms of the game to appeal to larger numbers of the population.

“If we are to achieve our ambition of getting every child hooked on sport for life, we need to do things differently. We can’t have more of the same.

“The project aims to get an additional 17,000 children regularly playing rugby by 2014/15 which would be a great outcome.

“It’s also paramount that the sports sector in Wales looks to measure itself against other nations if we are to realise a step change – just as the WRU is looking to New Zealand in terms of grassroots participation.”

Louis de Kock, Wildeklawer (l), Grey College captain 2011, Dries Swanepoel (l)

Morgan Piek –

Quickly becoming one of the top fixtures on the South African schools rugby calendar, The Wildeklawer Super Schools Festival 2012 promises to deliver the goods once again. After the hugely successful tournament hosted earlier this early in Kimberley at the picturesque Hoërskool Diamantveld, the organisers have decided to keep the tournament in Kimberley.

Keeping the event unique to the Northern Cape is most definitely a feather in the cap for the owner of Wildeklawer, Louis de Kock. Over the years, Louis has stuck to his roots and remained humble with the enormous success he has gained through Wildeklawer. He has ploughed an immense amount of money in to both the Diamantveld and rugby in the Northern Cape.

With the addition of Martizburg College (Pietermartizburg) and Hoërskool Ben Vorster (Tzaneen) and Hoër Landbouskool Oakdale (Riversdale), replacing Hoërskool Duineveld (Upington) and Hoër Landbouskool Marlow (Craddock), 2012 promises to be more representative of South Africa.

The event will be hosted from 27 to 30 April 2012, with eighteen teams taking part over the two days of play.

Next year will see the repeat fixtures of this year’s titanic battle been Grey College vs. Hoërskool Waterkloof. It was one of the hardest and most thrilling games of the school rugby I had witnessed in a very long time. Both schools end up providing the bulk on the SA U18 School side for 2011.

With the acquisition of the legendary Springbok flyhalf, Naas Botha as head coach at Waterkloof, I’m sure they will be licking their chops to set the record straight.  Grey College on the other hand have been undefeated in game in their last seventy matches.

Here are a couple of the epic clashes on the cards next year:

-              Grey College vs. Waterkloof

-              Affies vs. Boishaai

-              Glenwood vs. Paarl Gym

-              Maritzburg College vs. Paul Roos

-              Monnas vs. Boishaai

-              Diamantveld vs. Outeniqua

-              Framesby vs. Ben Vorster

-              Paul Roos vs. Affies

-              Waterkloof vs. Paarl Gym

The participating schools are:

Affies (Pretoria), Ben Vorster (Tzaneen), Boland Landbou (Paarl), Diamantveld (Kimberley), EG Jansen (Boksburg), Framesby (Port Elizabeth), Glenwood (Durban), Grey College (Bloemfontein), HTS Middelburg, Maritzburg College, Monument (Krugersdorp), Oakdale (Riversdale), Outeniqua (George), Paarl Boys, Paarl Gymnasium, Paul Roos (Stellenbosch), Waterkloof (Pretoria), Wildeklawer Invitation XV.

Teams playing each other:

Affies: Paarl Boys’ High, Paul Roos

Ben Vorster: Boland Landbou, Framesby

Boland Landbou: HTS Middelburg, Ben Vorster

Diamantveld: Outeniqua, Maritzburg College

EG Jansen: Grey, Wildeklawer

Framesby: HTS Middelburg, Ben Vorster

Glenwood: Paarl Gim, Outeniqua

Grey: Waterkloof, EG Jansen

HTS Middelburg: Boland Landbou, Framesby

Maritzburg College: Diamantveld, Paul Roos

Monnas: Paarl Boys’ High, Oakdale

Oakdale: Wildeklawer, Monnas

Outeniqua: Glenwood, Diamantveld

Paarl Boys’ High: Affies, Monnas

Paarl Gym: Waterkloof, Glenwood

Paul Roos: Affies, Maritzburg College

Waterkloof: Grey, Paarl Gym

Wildeklawer: EG Jansen, Oakdale

Tournament for under 14, under 15 and under 16 teams have been organised as well, as well as netball tournament at the Wilderklawer Super Schools.

The tournament will receive television coverage as well.

A full list of fixtures and times will posted closer to the date.

Murray Mexted (front left) and Dick Muir (2nd front left) host a team of coaches during the 2011 Investec International Rugby Academy held at Hilton College © Barry Aldworth/Backpagepix

The Investec International Rugby Academy offers high paced action, unrivalled experience and world class coaching. Crammed with position-specific training, interactive sessions, tactical thinking and lessons on mental toughness, the unique two week high performance rugby course is set for the final whistle on Friday, December 16^th. The desire to provide a handful of promising players and coaches more opportunities for improvement and advancement in a constantly evolving game serves as the backdrop for the highly-acclaimed Investec International Rugby Academy, headed by former Springbok assistant coach Dick Muir.

Within the space of two weeks, the Academy would have run three courses, namely, a High Performance Course, for players and coaches who want to break into professional rugby, as well as an Advanced Players Course which is  the top school boy course catering for players aged 16 – 18. In addition to the young talent was a superb blend of the very best on offer in the rugby fraternity including the likes of Murray Mexted, Louis Koen, Braam van Straaten, Wayne Taylor, Grant Bashford, David Campese, John Allan, Mark Lawrence, James Small, Gary Gold, Greg Miller, Pieter De Villiers, Ashley Evert, Ian Macdonald and Jerome Paarwater.

Facilitator Dick Muir believes that the Academy capitalises on the demand for high-performance rugby tuition in an innovative and creative manor;

Murray Mexted, Ngobani Bobo and Dick Muir during the 2011 Investec International Rugby Academy held at Hilton College © Barry Aldworth/Backpagepix

“The Academy is an invaluable experience for coaches and players because it provides crucial information and techniques on a host of topics that will go a long way in the development, progress and success of coaches and players alike. The 14 day period allows us to fully observe the skills, determination, flaws and talent of some of the most gifted youth available today. The players thoroughly enjoyed being part of such an exciting and informative experience with first class training facilities.”

Through a host of on and off field lectures, presentations and training drills the youngsters refined techniques, corrected their styles and developed their mental and physical fitness with the view to upgrading their talent to the next level. The coaches were also put through their paces as they learnt the latest trends in international rugby, engaged in healthy discussions and evaluated the performances and techniques of the best up-and-coming rugby players that South Africa has to offer.

Guy Ranger, a High Performance Course Graduate from May 2009 explains what the course meant to him;

Murray Mexted (l) coaches a student in eigthman skills at the 2011 Investec International Rugby Academy © Barry Aldworth/Backpagepix

“The International Investec Rugby Academy offers a premier opportunity for players and coaches to be evaluated and to learn what it takes to advance to the next level. With the selected coaches on hand the Academy provides the tools and skills needed for players and coaches to expand their horizons and perhaps one day entrench themselves in the rugby records. The South African academy is modelled on the success and credibility of the International Rugby Academy New Zealand and we firmly believe that in time, we would have nurtured and developed some of the greatest rugby talent to come out of this country.”

Dick Muir (l) coaches a student in back line skills at the 2011 Investec International Rugby Academy © Barry Aldworth/Backpagepix

Pieter de Villiers (r) coaches a student in front row skills at the 2011 Investec International Rugby Academy © Barry Aldworth/Backpagepix

Christmas Special: Personlised Rugby Balls, signed by Vlok Cilliers & Morné Steyn

Morne Steyn and Vlok “skop” Cilliers offers you the unique opportunity to have the perfect gift this year! With this exclusive limited offer you can have a personally addressed rugby ball, signed by both rugby legends Morne Steyn and he’s kicking coach Vlok “Skop” Cilliers on a rugby ball.

The rugby ball will sell at R180 a piece and will only be available until 12 December 2011.

**Please note that stock are limited.*

 How to make use of this limited opportunity:

Step 1: Please complete the electronic form.

Step 2: Deposit / EFT money into the following account:

MORVLOK TRUST,

FNB Lynnwood Branch 252045,

Bank Account: 62321920044

Step 3: Please fax proof of payment to 086 5750 443

*NB: use your INITIALS & SURNAME as reference on your deposit slip or proof of payment.

Please note: That no merchandise will be sent without full payment, proof of payment or a valid Post Office Box Address.

Please follow the following link to order:

https://docs.google.com/a/oasiswater.co.za/spreadsheet/viewform?hl=en_GB&formkey=dHVIaFdsVDlKOHlEQXZaVzZpNkN0SWc6MQ#gid=0

PAARL GIMNASIUM UNDER 16 TOURNAMENT – MARCH 31 TO APRIL 4, 2012

Paarl Gimnasium (Gim) will be hosting their 20^th annual under 16 tournament in March 2012. Twenty eight of the country’s top rugby schools will play 3 matches on March 31, April 2 & April 4. The tournament includes hockey (boys & girls)and netball.

School tournaments traditionally focus on the under 18 level. The Gim tournament offers younger players a chance to compete against top schools outside their province on an almost provincial level. Of the 50 players who were included in the SA under 16 HP rugby squad of 2011, 27 came from the schools which took part in the Gim tournament. Five of the top six FNB Top 20 schools in 2011 participated in the Gim tournament.(1. Grey College Bloemfontein, 2. Afrikaans Hoër Seunskool, 4. Boishaai, 5. Monument, 6. Waterkloof)

The wealth of attractions offered by Paarl, the Cape Winelands and the fact that Boishaai’s under 15 tournament takes place at the same time, contributes to the tournament’s growth in size to something similar to other famous School Rugby Festivals up-country.

The tournament is run by volunteers and staff of Gim. Former Springbok fly half Louis Koen (Gim’s Chief of Sport) chairs the organizing committee.

Participating teams for 2012:

Gauteng (9): Afrikaans Hoër Seunskool, Centurion, EG Jansen, Florida, Garsfontein, Monument, Transvalia, Waterkloof, Kempton Park

Western Cape (7): Boland Landbou, Brackenfell, Gimnasium, Boishaai, Paul Roos, Stellenberg, Tygerberg, Paarl Invitation Team

Eastern / Southern Cape (5): Framesby, Marlow, Oudtshoorn, Outeniqua, Punt

Free State / Northern Cape / North West (3): Diamantveld, Grey College, Rustenburg

KwaZulu-Natal (2): Glenwood, Michaelhouse

Namibia (1): Windhoek Gymnasium

The Kit Aid initiative gives unwanted rugby kit to underprivileged children in the UK and overseas to provide those of all abilities and backgrounds the chance to participate in rugby. The project also promotes social inclusion and helps protect the environment through recycling.

The WRU is delighted to back the campaign which improves participation levels throughout rugby and has worked closely with Wales’ national teams and SWALEC League clubs this season to ensure that any unwanted kit goes to some of the world’s most disadvantaged areas.

Graham Price, the Ambassador for LV=SOS Kit Aid in Wales, collected Welsh rugby’s generous offering from the home of Welsh Sport today, where preparations are well underway for Wales’ clash with Australia in the Dove Men Challenge on Saturday (kick off 16:30 CAT).

“I am incredibly grateful to the WRU and their clubs for once again making a substantial contribution to the LV=SOS Kit Aid,” he said. “This is a wonderful project and I’m proud and honoured to support the chance to spread rugby to youngsters from emerging nations so they too can have an opportunity to take part in our great game.”

Jason Lewis, WRU National Rugby Development Manager, said: “Developing the game of rugby across all ages and abilities is at the heart of our vision for Wales and it is with pleasure that I represent our national teams and member clubs to share their generosity with other nations driving the game of rugby in their own communities.”

The WRU first launched their support for the project, which has sent £2m worth of recycled kit to 19 emerging countries in Africa and Eastern Europe, in 2007.

Anyone wanting to donate their kit should go to the official website: lvsoskitaid.com and click “I want to donate” at the top of the page to find out more.

Photo by Denese Lups | Rugby15 | www.phototalk.co.za

Jan Serfontein, who was recently named the Coca-Cola Craven Week Player of the Tournament for 2011, has been included in a 48-man SA Under-20 squad that will train in Stellenbosch later this month.

Serfontein was one of four players – the others being Dries Swanepoel, Siyabonga Tom and Hlanhla Hlungwane – who missed the recent trials camp in Kimberley because of matric exams. All four represented the SA Schools team earlier this year.

Six more players, Guy Alexander, Paul Jordaan, Allan Dell, Steven Kitshoff, Johan Goosen and Kevin Luiters, have been added to the squad after missing the Kimberley-camp.

This camp will be held at Stellenbosch University’s brand new Sport Performance Institute (SUSPI) and will commence on 27 November. It will conclude on 7 December.

“We’ve always planned to spread the net as far and wide as possible and by inviting the players that missed the camp in Kimberley but have always been on our radar, it gives us even more insight into the depth and talent at our disposal,” said Dawie Theron, SA Under 20 head coach.

“Where we played a number of trials matches in Kimberley, this camp will be very different. We’ll be introducing our game plan to the players and will work on position specific training, while also focussing on defensive and attacking structures.

“With most of the players currently busy with pre-season preparations at their various unions, it would not work to do intense contact sessions, so we will be concentrating more on technical and tactical preparations.”

The first U20 camp of 2012 will also take place in Stellenbosch, from 15 to 27 January 2012, where the squad will face the Universities of Cape Town and Stellenbosch in pre-season friendlies. Argentina’s Under 20s tour South Africa in April and Theron’s team will play them in two “Tests” in April.

The SA U20 squad for the Stellenbosch camp is:

Wian Fourie (Border); Hendri Christian Rust, Richard Dean Gorrah, Andile Jho, Dries Swanepoel, Hendrik van Wyk, Jan Serfontein, Juan Nel, Marvin Orie, Marzuq Maarman, Rudi van Rooyen, Schalk van Heerden, Tony Jantjies, Travis Ismail, Wian Liebenberg (all Blue Bulls); Henco Venter, Hlanhla Hlungwane, Jan de Klerk, Johan Goosen, Kevin Luiters, Maphutha Dolo, Mathys Smit, Niel Marais, Niell Jordaan (all Free State); Errol Jaggers, Ettiene Oosthuizen, Fabian Booysen, Gideon Muller, Henri Boshoff, Mark Pretorius, Paul Willemse, Ruan Botha, Vian van der Walt (all Golden Lions); Allan Dell, Franco Marais, Guy Alexander, Khaya Majola, Nicolaas van Dyk, Paul Jordaan, Pieter Steph du Toit, Shaun Adendorf, Siseko Jafta, Siyabonga Tom (all KZN); Francois Grobler (Leopards); Cobus Nel, Jacobs van Wyk, Patrick Howard, Steven Kitshoff (all WP).

Springbok Sevens Squad - Blitzbokke

Welcome to the best in African 7’s which is back in Middelburg this October 2011. As we will highlight, this year’s event will be bigger and better.

This year, the festival will take place from 13-15 October  2011.  The Springbok 7’s have since inception committed them to the event.  We are very excited about the prospect of one of your own town’s sons,  Dirk Dippenaar who might  be running out for them during this year’s event.

Supersport televised the event to more than 300 000 viewers during both the previous three years.

Since the inaugural Middelburg 7’s, the festival has grown into a community project.  This festival has benefited various institutions by donating more than R250 000.00 to local schools and other charities.

Venue

With Hoërskool Middelburg having proved to be an adequate and suitable venue, we are delighted to be back there for this year’s tournament. To Johan Stronkhorst and his personnel, we would like to express our sincere thanks         for the hard work they put in every year and wish them all the best for this year’s preparations towards what will be a spectacular highlight on Middelburg’s calendar.

Sponsor

A special thank you to Nashua and Nashua Mobile for being title sponsors for this year. Without your financial support, a town like Middelburg would not be able to host such a prestigious event.

Once again, this event is well supported by associate sponsors, making it an even better event.  Shanduka Coal, Famnet and Waterberg will be part of the Middelburg 7’s family this year. We would also like to welcome on board both Spur and Brutal Rugby to our sponsor family.

7’s Rugby

Middelburg 7’s will be divided into 3 tournaments this year.

1.   Senior men – Springboks, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Botswana   will be the International teams, complemented by the Pumas, Border and Free State

2.   Women

3.   High Schools

High School teams will also play during this weekend.

We are very excited about introducing “Rammetjie” rugby this year.  The u/6’s and u/8’s will be given the opportunity to play at this year’s event. This will give them an opportunity to play on the same field as their heroes and hopefully inspire them to bigger things in the future.

After last year’s resounding success, a rugby clinic will be hosted by Paul Treu in conjunction with the Puma Rugby Union on Friday 13 October 2011.  Everybody will definitely be looking for the new Habanas of SA Rugby.

A new addition to the day will be 7’s hockey played by high schools.

Entertainment

A very exciting programme is in store for this year’s patrons:

Spur will erect an entertainment park for the children to play and give their parents some rest during this busy day. Parents can rest assured that their kids will be looked after here, where they can entertain themselves or be entertained by the various activities that will be available.

SAB will provide us with a huge beer tent. This will be the only area where one can enjoy alcoholic refreshments. No other liquor will be allowed to be served or sold anywhere else.

Helicopter flips around the school will be a highlight for many people attending the day.  These trips will be available throughout the course of the day @ R 150 per person.

Golf Day and Function

The golf day and function will take place on Thursday 13 October 2011. Golf will be played at Middelburg Country Club.

The dinner will be held in Middelburg High School’s hall where a panel of experts will discuss the upcoming semi-finals of the 2011 RWC.

Ticketing

This is the really exciting part. Only R10 per adult attending will be charged.

The Blue Bulls Company has applauded the generosity of local schools for showing just how willing they are to donate to a worthy cause. Clothing4Children, a non-profit organization formed by teenage brothers Schalk and Wim Burger in 2010, pledged to clothe 13.5 million desperately needy people in South Africa of which 1.2 Million needy people reside in the Pretoria Metropole. Their goal is to raise 50 000 bags of clothing with the Blue Bulls-Loftus event.

Powerful images of homeless, poverty-stricken South Africans evoked the sense of charity and generosity amongst various schools in Pretoria and its surrounding areas so much so, that 38 500 bags have already been collected to date from 24 schools. The bags of clothing and bedding already collected by Clothing4Children to date are worth an estimated R205.8 million and would more than comfortably fill a 100m x 50m rugby field.

Richard Papo, Vodacom Blue Bulls Marketing Manager, said the desire amongst schools to make a difference by providing basic necessities for the unemployed, homeless and poor was overwhelming.
“The Clothing4Children initiative serves as a constant reminder that there are millions of underprivileged people in desperate need of our help. While conjuring up images of pain and sadness, there are many heart-warming stories as a result of the inspirational work started by the Burger brothers. Without question, we struck an emotional chord and have been astounded by the immense response of our local schools. The Blue Bulls Company and Clothing4Children are immensely grateful and are confident we’ll surpass our joint Loftus goal of 50 000 bags of clothing based on the response and support we’ve already received.”

The focus then turns to rugby clubs, suite owners, sponsors and general fans who will deliver their bags of clothing and bedding on Saturday, September 17th at Loftus Versfeld when the Vodacom Blue Bulls host Western Province in an Absa Currie Cup match.

Players from the Under 19 and Under 21 teams as well as senior players from both teams will walk onto the field carrying their bags of clothing. There is a dedicated area 100 x 50 m in size behind the Northern pavillion already stacked with approximately 39 000 bags of clothing and we want to encourage more fans to participate and bring their bags to Loftus on or before Saturday’s game.

Saturday’s match programme will include information, pictures and details about the Clothing4Children initiative and participating schools will be also be included. Three minutes during the halftime interval has been allocated to Clothing4Children to address the fans.

LED screens at Loftus Versfeld will feature one-minute videos of schools’ collections and Vodacom Blue Bulls players’ endorsements, Clothing4Children advertisements and the names of participating schools. Additional bags will be distributed via the ticket office at Loftus Versfeld from Monday, September 12th.