Diamantveld High’s senior rugby boys have big plans
The DFA’S spoke to the captains and coaches of some of the local schools competing at the 2024 Absa Wildeklawer tournament to assess their readiness for the prestigious sports festival
THE DIAMANTVELD senior rugby team has enjoyed a remarkable ascent this season, and are currently sitting atop the standings in the fiercely contested Central Sport Series.
The team’s success is due to a new vision and determination to succeed and is also thanks to the leadership of FJ de Vries, the stalwart captain of Diamantveld’s Under-19 first team.
De Vries has been at the helm of his squad since the start of the season and the team has been on a steady upward tick under his inspired leadership,
Speaking to the DFA, De Vries modestly attributes much of the team’s success to the astute guidance of the newly appointed coaching staff.
“Our new coaches have truly transformed our game,” he told the DFA, acknowledging the coaching staff’s expertise and innovative coaching methods that have propelled the team to new heights.
However, it’s not just the captaincy and the coaching staff that have contributed to Diamantveld’s stellar performance this season. De Vries underscores the exceptional camaraderie among his teammates, describing them as a cohesive unit with promising talent emerging from the ranks of the junior players.
“We have a fantastic group of boys this year, with some outstanding juniors from our Grade 11 contingent,” he asserts.
Furthermore, the continuity provided by the presence of 10 seasoned players from last year’s first team has served as a significant boost for Diamantveld. This experience, coupled with the influx of emerging talent, has fortified the team’s resolve to excel on the field.
Looking ahead to the Wildeklawer,
De Vries exudes confidence in their ability to surpass last year’s performance. Determined to reverse their fortunes from the previous season, Diamantveld is gearing up to face formidable opponents.
Their upcoming matches against Marlow Landbou and an international team from New Zealand present formidable challenges, but De Vries and his teammates are resolute in their pursuit of victory.