Thumbs up for Sevens tourney
A PLAN to revive rugby in Buffalo Flats schools is in full swing after a kickstart from a Sevens tournament.
Alphendale High School principal Clive Prince is the driving force behind the dream, and he co-ordinated the tournament.
It was held at the IG Foster grounds. Eight schools – a primary and a secondary each from Parkside, Buffalo Flats, Eziphunzana and Duncan Village – were invited.
Only four turned up – Cranberry and Aspiranza Primary, and Alphendale and Greenpoint Secondary.
This cast no shadow on the happy day, however.
Four games were played: between Alphendale and Greenpoint’s U18 and U16 teams, and between Cranberry and Aspiranza’s U13 A and B sides.
Alphendale won both their games while Cranberry won the A match and Aspiranza the B on the primary school side.
The matches were played as friendlies and the results were less important than just getting the kids on the field and involved.
“We were happy with the turnout for the first event,” said Prince. “About 80 boys in total turned up for the day and they looked like they really enjoyed it.
“The whole idea is to get schools interested and involved in rugby in the area, so we can build on that.”
Some of the ideas put forth in trying to get rugby up and running again, according to Prince, include organising U13, U14, U16 and U18 teams and readying them to compete against prominent rugby playing schools in East London.
This will in turn enable players to be identified for possible selection to Craven Week teams and to the United Senior Rugby club.
Ultimately, players in the area will get the necessary exposure and consideration for the provincial team, and Prince also intends developing administrators, coaches and referees in the Buffalo Flats area.
Some of the challenges the activists face include trying to get more schools to participate in a local league, facilities not conducive due to uneven surface caused by the type of grass, earthworms and moles, and a struggle with BCM over grass cutting and marking of grounds.
Matches are played on an unmarked and uncut pitch and too few qualified coaches, referees and medical staff.
The Sevens tournament was thus a stepping stone to bigger things as they look to continue bringing rugby back to the area and will look to improve the tournament year on year.
“We want to host this tournament every year and make it bigger and better, eventually inviting schools from across the whole city to attend,” said Prince.
“Our deep thanks and gratitude to Border Bulldogs team managers David Ruiters and Tyron Roberts, and to the Spar group, especially Nick’s Foods Spar in East London, for providing delicious lunch packs for all the players and officials present.”