South African Rugby Legends Association

Legends Tour Beach Clinic Suncoast Beach: 20 June

Balmy winter weather greeted 100 children from Umlazi as they lived out a dream when they were coached by British and Irish Lions Legends along with eLan South African Rugby Legends down at Suncoast Beach on 20 June.

Walking onto the immaculate Suncoast Beach, children had the privilege of an hour long clinic with top world class Legends. Heroes of the game from the United Kingdom and South Africa parted with experience, coaching the youngsters under the guidance of Ian McIntosh who headed up the training session. McIntosh had the Legends display the next move to be learnt and then they broke up into groups practicing what they had just seen.

The visitors completely embraced the opportunity to ‘hang out’ with the local boys. Skills being learnt, laughter and smiling faces were seen as the large group dominated the majority of the beach.

Warming up for the big game yesterday (Saturday) afternoon, a sea of red and white British Lions supporter jerseys lined the sides of the field as they cheered the children on.

The Legends travel up to Pretoria where the British and Irish Lions Legends will want to restore some pride when they take on the eLan South African Rugby Legends in their second test match at Tukkies High Performance Centre on Thursday 25 June, kick off is at 5pm.

For more info go to www.sarugbylegends.com or contact 031 566 6410.

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British and Irish Lions Legends Tour

Riverside Sports Club: 18 June 2009

The quaint field of the Riverside Sports Club was ignited with world class players when the eLan South African Rugby Legends took on a determined British and Irish Lions Legend team on 18 June.

Rugby doesn’t get much better than this! Magic ball handling and experience that one can only dream of was the order for the night. On paper the eLan South African Rugby Legends team looked undeniably unbeatable and they proved just that.

The game started with both teams having plenty of handling errors. The British and Irish Lions Legends attacked the goal line of the local team for the first ten minutes but luckily the golden boat of Braam Van Straaten managed to get the eLan South African Rugby Legends out of trouble.

The game was impressively fast and once the teams settled; the skills level impressed the massive crowd that came down to support. Crunching tackles that could be heard from the touchline made it hard to believe that this was in actual fact a Legends game.

Former Springbok Sevens player, Dieter Kriese opened proceedings for the eLan South African Rugby Legends running in an easy break away try. Van Straaten converted convincingly and every goal kick following was slotted magnificently without fail.

The first half was dominated by the Lions Legends with two breaks that resulted in tries for the South Africans, proving their dominance to the one try from the visiting players. Departing the field at half time to get liquid refreshments, the home side was leading 14-7.

The second half was equally as thrilling with the eLan South African Rugby Legends team keeping the ball alive and keeping possession forcing their opponents into their half. Opening the account in the second half was Durban North resident, John Slade, when he delighted the home crowds with a try next to the uprights. The green jerseys far outnumbered the red jerseys when awesome team work created a break down the touchline.

Former Springbok Centre, Pieter Muller cruised in for a try taking the score to 26-7. Breyton Paulse busied the scorers when he danced his way past the opposition with a chip and chase. Some careful soccer skills brought the ball under control for a spectacular touch down.

The spirit of the game was played in a tremendous fashion with friendly slap on the backs and helpful hands being offered quite evident. The final score was a victorious 42-7 to the eLan South African Rugby Legends.

This sets the platform for an interesting second test between the two sides that will be played in Pretoria next week.

Chatting after the game, Former Springbok, Scottish and Sharks Hooker, John Allan laughingly suggested, “The altitude got to the Lions? I was very impressed with the boys, what a game of rugby!”

From the other camp, Scottish Centre, Scott Hastings reported, “Tough rugby, what a physical game! But at the end of the day that is what it is all about. We didn’t have nearly enough guys on the bench and our guys were puffing quite a bit. But we all thoroughly enjoyed it!”

The teams had high profile Legends playing with Percy Montgomery, AJ Venter, Breyton Paulse, Pieter Muller, Braam Van Straaten, Robbie Fleck, Deon Kayser all wearing the eLan South African Rugby jerseys and Scott Hastings, Mark Reagan and Trevor Brennan lining up for the British and Irish Lions Legends team.

Tonight (Friday) you can join a panel of Legends players at the Legends Village Durban for an informative “From the Locker Room”. Representatives from both teams will give their opinions about the upcoming Boks Lions test match, predictions and the inside scoop on the teams.

The eLan South African Rugby Legends proved that they still had what it takes when they took on the British and Irish Lions Legends at Riverside Sports Club for a hard hitting game.

For more information go to www.sarugbylegends.com or phone 031 566 6410.

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Legends Village Riverside Sports Club: 17 – 21 June 2009

The South African Rugby Legends Association has created a Legends Village for the upcoming British and Irish Lions Tour in Durban, Pretoria and Johannesburg.

Join friends and rugby fans in the vibrant Legends Village where you can enjoy watching the games on a big screen TV, get the inside scoop from rugby greats from both the eLan SA Rugby Legends and the British and Irish Lions Legends Teams who will be frequenting the villages and enjoy a ice cold pint.

The Legends Village will be stopping at three destinations on its British and Irish Lions Tour, with plenty of entertainment both sporting and music, on offer.

The first stop for the Legends Village is Durban, where a fantastic line up will keep you coming back for more. Warming up the Durban fans on Wednesday 17 June will be the recent winner of the South African Idols, Jason Hartman, who is dubbed as the ‘Real Winner’.

Heroes of the game will go head to head in the first game on Thursday 18 June. The eLan SA Rugby Legends will take on the British and Irish Lions Legends, kick off is at 05:30pm. High profile Legends will be running onto the field with Percy Montgomery and Scott Hastings, to name a few, donning the two opposing country’s jerseys.

The curtain raiser for this game is the Iqhawe (translated means Hero) Team, the development side for the South African Rugby Legends Association; they will take on Northwood Boys High School.

Friday 19 June you can join rugby greats for a “From the Locker Room” perspective for the upcoming Boks vs British and Irish Lions game. Three representatives from both the eLan SA Rugby Legends and the British and Irish Lions Legends teams will discuss in detail their predictions, insights and expectations for the upcoming game.

Saturday 20 June, the Legends Village will be the place to be for pre-match chat and drinks. Cheer for the Boks while watching the game on the big screen and then enjoy a Bon Voyage party with live entertainment with Tommy Lawson.

The Legends Village invites all rugby supporters to enjoy all the activites organised by the South African Rugby Legends Association during the British and Irish Lions Tour of South Africa.

Entry is R30.00 and no Under 18’s are allowed into the Beer Marquee.

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World Champions of Sport Unite for Charity Protea Glen, Soweto: 22 June 2009

The eLan South African Rugby Legends is hosting a rugby clinic in Protea Glen, Soweto as part of the launch for their Sowetan Legacy Park.

The clinic is billed as the “World Champions of Sport Unite for Charity”; the esteemed clinic will have both the Rugby World Cup Champions and the Soccer World Cup Champions attending the impressive occasion. The Springbok Rugby players, who are going head to head with the British Lions, will be alongside the Italian Soccer players, who are competing in the 2009 Confederations Cup, as they coach children from the surrounding communities in two of the greatest uniting sporting codes on this planet.

Joining them will be the eLan SA Rugby Legends team, the British Lions Legends team who are competing against each other in a British Lions Legends Tour. The well respected Brazilian Football players, who will also be competing in the 2009 Confederations Cup, will be a part of the star studded sporting celebrity line up at the sports clinic.

The South African Rugby Legends Association passionately and continuously uplift the country through the programmes that they run, included are the ‘Leaving a Legacy’ programme; ‘Street Kids Against Crime Prevention’ programme; the ‘Adopt-A-School’ programme and the flourishing ‘Iqhawe’ programme.

Two areas have been identified as the pilot projects for the ‘Leaving a Legacy’, the first is in Cato Manor in Kwa-Zulu Natal and the second is in Protea Glen, Soweto in Gauteng.

Soweto is an urban area in the City of Johannesburg, Gauteng. Its name in English syllabic abbreviation is short for South Western Township. Soweto; in recent demographic statistics is estimated to have more than a third of the city’s total population and all eleven of the country’s official languages are spoken there. These statistics made it easy to select Soweto for the pilot project for the ‘Legacy Park’.

The municipalities have contributed a plot of land that will be developed and will be kitted out with a multi purpose synthetic turf commonly known as Tigerturf and a community clubhouse with floodlights will be built. Sponsors and donors will be targeted from a funding perspective to be able to keep the venue functioning. A mobile police station with be stationed at all ‘Legacy Parks’ to make them safer for the communities to utilise.

Leaving a Legacy will be a community-facilitated project where the facilities will ultimately be available for the community to make use of, be it for soccer, after school sports training or any sporting code that they wish to use it for. South African Rugby Legends Association is bringing the possibility of a fully functional sporting venue to the people encouraging them to get involved in their communities and in sporting activities.

“We are hugely excited about such a milestone event. We understand that the opening of the Blue Label Legacy Park in Soweto will be the first opportunity that the World Champions in soccer have ever met the World Champions in rugby - which is an unbelievable coup! The Italian visitors are hugely excited, as are the Springboks.
The international media following the Italians for the Con Fed cup will be there; as will the British media following the Lions and all the local media following the Springboks,” says an excited Kim Jackson, Managing Director: Sportsfan Eventing on behalf of the South African Rugby Legends.

The Protea Glen ‘Legacy Park’ has been adopted by Johannesburg-based Telecommunications Company, Blue Label Telecoms.

Making dreams a reality, the South African Rugby Legends Association are hosting a clinic with high profile sporting celebrities helping out at the Protea Glen, Soweto ‘Legacy Park’ on 22 June.

Address for the event is Ext 14; Soweto or GPS Co-ordinates of 26:17:120S and 27:48:275E

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Bell’s Fort Nottingham Highland Gathering and Traditional Games - All things Scottish

Superb weather greeted everyone who ventured to Fort Nottingham for the third Bell’s Fort Nottingham Highland Gathering and Traditional Games this past weekend.

It really was a case of the hills being alive with the sounds of music, vintage tractors, and dogs barking and more importantly crowds cheering. A splendid turnout of people were entertained with proper Scottish events such as ‘Walk the Weight’; ‘Tossing the Caber’; ‘Shot Putt’; ‘Running the Kilted Mile’ and of course ‘Tug-O-War’.

Two categories for the games had both Military and Civilian teams taking on the various traditional Scottish challenges. Celebrating Armed Forces Day, seven military teams took on each other with some of the teams wearing colourful kilts. The civilian teams included the eLan SA Rugby Legends, the Teamo Extremo consisting of personal trainers from Virgin Active, The Flowers of Frotland from Durban and local lads, the Notties Militia.

The event ‘Walk the Weight’, turned out to be a crowd favourite igniting everyone watching. First up, “The Beast from the East”, Andile Nyembezi from the eLan SA Rugby Legends shattered the existing record by cruising 225m with a hefty 75kg rock on his shoulder. Determination sculpted his face as he was cheered on by team mates.

Stating afterwards, Nyembezi said, “I waited a year to break the record after coming so close last year!”

Meeting the challenge that was laid down was former SA Strongman contestant, Rory Scheepers. Bulging muscles popped out as team members helped settle the rock on his shoulder.

Stride for stride, it looked as though the hour long record was in danger but Scheepers’s mark came three meters short of the burley Nyembezi’s staggering record breaking carry.

The tossing of the caber proved more difficult. All the civilian teams barring Scheepers didn’t manage a successful throw but the “Strongman” looked as through he was tossing a toothpick and impressively managed three correct throws.

To successfully toss a caber, the competitor has to flip a pole a revolution of 270 degrees away from you.

The event organisers allowed for all civilian competitors to have a single throw with the lady’s caber. Again Scheepers shone, along with former Springbok and Scottish Hooker, John Allan who donned a kilt for the event.

Away from the traditional sporting events, ‘wee lasses’ could be seen dancing to lovely melodic Scottish tunes. Historian, Ken Gillings gave an intriguing talk on the history of Fort Nottingham and the surrounding area.

The Dunsmore Challenge had bands performing throughout the day. Band Richmond Ave/ MacTalla won the piping section and 1 Medical Battalion-A won the drumming in the Dunsmore Piping and Drumming Challenge. Overall winners of the challenge were 1 Medical Battalion B.

The Scottish address to the Haggis was made in true Highland fashion with the reciting of verse by Scottish bard Robert Burns. After the ode to the haggis, the haggis bearer, the piper and the poem reciter followed the ceremony by a ‘wee sip of the dram’ to toast the event.

Chief of the Clan Maclaine of Lochburie, Lorne Maclaine opened the games in spectacular fashion arriving in a shining vintage Rolls Royce. All teams marched across the field to attention alongside marching bands.

Closing the sporting events was the family ‘Tug-O-War’ where children and fathers went up against each other. A sea of children clung to anything attached to the rope and showed the Dads that youth certainly was stronger.

Farmers from around the area then had the opportunity to display their beauties with the vintage tractor display. Perfect mechanical specimens chugged around the grounds after an introductory speech explained a bit about each one. Even the name of Porsche was tied up to a tractor, which also happened to be red in colour.

Part of the tractor display was the awareness drive of Tony Tractor who is endeavouring to depart on a Round the World trip on his 1948 Ferguson tractor, Old Baby. The epic journey will begin in 2010 where he will drive through over 50 countries to raise funds in support of the fight against woman and child abuse.

Old and young enjoyed the festivities at the Bell’s Fort Nottingham Highland Gathering and Traditional Games and the event will be held around the same time next year.

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Bell’s Fort Nottingham Highland & Traditional Games
Fort Nottingham Fields: May 16.

If ye be a Scot… then it is time to haul out yer kilt, air it and get ready for the 3rd Bell’s Fort Nottingham Highland and Traditional Games which takes place on Saturday, May 16 at the Fort Nottingham Fields at Nottingham Road in the Midlands. And even if you’re not Scottish there’s plenty of grand old fashioned fun to be had anyway!

This highly popular celebration of Scottish and Celtic traditions has become a firm favourite for the Midlands and promises to be a wonderful, spirited community event once again.

The Highland Games in its original form centred round mainly athletics and affiliated competitions, with familiar events such as tossing-the-caber and tug-of-war continuing into the contemporary form of the games. These events have also become emblematic of Scotland, along with the kilt, whisky, haggis, bagpipes and Scottish dancing.

The “athletic” element of the fun includes Tossing the caber (45kgs), Carrying the Weight (72kgs), Shot Put (26kgs), plus Tug o’ War and a kilted mile – a race up a steep hill.
This year the SANDF is sending ten regiments to participate. Another four teams including a local farmer’s team and the eLan Rugby Legends (who hold the open trophy) will compete in the games.

The SANDF will also have a static display and recruitment team will be on hand to answer any queries regarding careers in the army.

A number of local Kwazulu-Natal Pipe Bands will perform and members of these bands and others will compete for the R12000 prize money in the Dunsmore Challenge - a nail-biting piping contest in more ways than one.

The uMngeni Municipality is sending an 80-person strong choir to collaborate with the ABSA Choir to sing the national anthem at the grand opening.

Well-known historian, Ken Gillings will be present a talk entitled "Cradle Days of the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands" which will include details about the arrival of the Nguni people, early settlement in the Midlands and anecdotes about Fort Nottingham.

Other entertainment includes dance by a gumboot dance outfit and a traditional Scottish Dance troupe, plus fascinating displays of herding prowess demonstrated by man’s (and sheep’s) best friend – the Border Collie.

At lunch time, while you sit back and enjoy a range of food to suit a variety of palates, you will be able to take in the sights (and sounds) of a vintage tractor and Bentley display.

The ever popular beer tent promises delicious local beer too, and Bell’s whisky will be holding whisky tasting during the day in the old barracks. A full bar will be open all day and wine will be served in the luncheon tent.

Children will be well catered for with a jungle gym, a jumping castle, a Slush Puppy stand and an ice cream stall.
There is plenty of secure parking and Halfway Toyota is providing a shuttle service from the parking area to the fields.
Tickets are R40 for adults and R20 for scholars, only at the gate. Gates open at 8am and the event ends at 5pm on May 16.
For more information contact Brendan Grealy 083 227 2376/ 033-2677027

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The eLan / SARLA Sports Challenge
Durban: 8 – 10 May

Reinforcing the importance of team work, the South African Rugby Legends Association has been challenged by their title sponsor, eLan Group, with the inclusion this year by Jeep and the Mercury, to a weekend of sporting activities from 8 - 10 May.

For each event, four members from each team will take part. The participants will change for the different challenges throughout the weekend.

The weekend’s team challenge starts in the secluded Blythedale Resort with the 15km forest and beach mountain biking event. The track has been co-ordinated by Max Cluer in conjunction with Dylan Jackson who is a sales consultant for The eLan Group and a keen mountain biking enthusiast. The race is considered to be glory on two wheels and points are awarded as a team. Teams need to complete the race within 50m of their team mates.

Remaining at the Blythedale Coastal Resort, team players will be put through an adventure race. Starting off navigating their way through the Blythedale Estate, teams make their way to various check points where they have to find code words to record on their master sheet. Once completing that challenge, they are faced with four challenges. The first three obstacles are compulsory, being the Zorbing; Gladiantics and the Foam Pit Fun. From there the teams need to decide on either a Paintball Challenge or Paddling Relay to finish off the Adventure Race event.

Saturday sees the challengers teeing off at the Simbithi Golf Course. The course is designed to test a player’s ability to use all the clubs in the golf bag. The course is filled with a number of par 3’s and par 5’s that remain to be conquered.

Not straying too far away from an oval shaped ball, the down time from the challenge will be spent rooting for the Sharks as they take on the Waratahs at the ABSA Stadium Durban.

As the sun rises on Sunday morning, fishing enthusiasts will head out for the deep sea fishing expedition. Here they have the challenge of catching ‘the big one’.

On land, the challenge continues at Ushaka Marine World for a water adventure and surf challenge. Competitors will be taking on various water sport activites where the public are encouraged to come down to support. South African Rugby Legends Association is extremely excited to announce the inclusion of Breyton Paulse and Jenna Venter in this event.

Finishing off the challenge, all competitors will be thrown into the frying pan, out of their comfort zone and into the kitchen; a cook-off has been included in the activities. The format will be similar to ready steady cook where each team will be given a bag of ingredients 5 minutes before the cook off starts and will have to prepare a dish which they will be critiqued on.

The South African Rugby Legends Association take on title sponsor eLan Group, Jeep and the Mercury in a fun filled corporate challenge weekend from 8 - 10 May.

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SARLA Awards Banquet
Sandton Sun: 30 April 2009

The South African Rugby Legends Association hosted their annual awards banquet at the Sandton Sun on 30 April, a glitzy affair with hundreds of sporting personalities attending.

Master of ceremonies, Dan Nichol described the hall as littered with legends and it certainly was that with heroes from various sporting codes represented.

The awards congratulated those involved with the South African Rugby Legends Association for their service to the organization during the last year.

Admin person of the year: Kim Jackson and Danielle Crook
Most tries throughout the season: Jan Harm Van Wyk
Best Backline Player: Breyton Paulse
Best Forward: John Slade and Joe Beukes
Most Dedicated Legend: Mac Masina
Player of the Tour: Wayne Fyvie
Social Responsibility Award: Dale Sandton
Presidents Award: Joel Stransky

Former sharks and Springbok player, John Allan, CEO of the South African Rugby Legends Association explained, “I played for Scotland which was my father’s dream and then I had the privilege of playing for South Africa, which was my dream!” Reading from his childhood’s favourite poem, which details looking in a mirror and evaluating your life, Allan continued, “What matters in life is not what you bought but what you built or what you gave. It isn’t too late to choose a life that matters.”

That was the message that was portrayed throughout the evening. Making dreams possible and giving back to those that are less fortunate.

Following those footsteps of giving back, two more sporting Legend bodies were launched. The South African Soccer and Cricket Legends Associations both were given the platform to announce their intentions for South Africa. Former cricket’s all-rounder maestro, Mike Proctor reminisced about a fantastic game that he took part in in 1970, complementing the great Barry Richards. “It is South African Cricket Legends Association intention to give back to cricket. We would like to raise the profile of cricket in all communities at the amateur level of the game.” Comparing other countries where Legends are involved in the grass roots level, Procter mentioned that the Cricket Legends intended to bridge the gap between school, club and the professional game.

Former Provincial and Protea players are invited to get involved and can do so by contacting Dave Papenfus on dppapenfus@telkomsa.net or 083 232 3000.

Stan Whiting, who represented the South African Soccer Legends Association, was ecstatic at the honor of the launch of the new association leading up to such influential times for Africa in the largest global game. Modeled on the South African Rugby Legends, the soccer legends will inject new life into developing the soccer community.

Springbok Rugby Captain, John Smit stood up and stated that he was amazed how much passion filled the room. “The joy of giving is the best energy one can ask for. And being here tonight, the realization of giving by all of you has been inspiring. There is no such thing as an Ex-player, an Ex-Shark or an Ex-Springbok, there is only what we can call a Legend and that is what all of you are. Thank you for giving so much back to the game. Keep making rugby great!”

The number one public speaker in South Africa, ex–convict, author and motivational speaker, Gayton MacKenzie injected more enthusiasm when he stated, “This is a land of opportunity. Ask any international visitor how wonderful South Africa is, they will tell you what a great county we live in. And we are lucky that we have access to sport, which is the biggest unifier in the world.”

The evening saw several items being auctioned with R282,000 being raised going to the Kirsty Watts Foundation. Daughter of TV personality Derek Watts, Kirsty (13) was diagnosed with a brain tumour. While in hospital she realised that all she wanted to do was give something back to the children less fortunate than her. This dream was given a boost with the financial assistance of the South African Rugby Legends Association auction. Legend, Andre Venter donated R10,000 to the cause on the evening.

In closing, John Allan stood in front of all his team mates and thanking them, said, “All of you in the room today, we love you! Well done for everything that you have done and are doing.”

The South African Rugby Legends Association held its annual awards evening at the Sandton Sun on 30 April where rugby great were honoured for their passion to the game.

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Mr Price Kearsney Touch Rugby Festival
Kearsney College: 19 April 2009

The 78th Old Crocks game took place in chilly misty conditions on scenic grounds of the Kearsney College main field this weekend with the eLan Rugby Legends Old Crocks team raising the trophy after a fantastic game.

The hotly contested annual match between the Kearsney 1st Team and the eLan Rugby Legends is always scenes for wonderful rugby. The Old Crocks played a phenomenal game with great understanding between players and fine ball handling that resulted in awesome passing, space and some untouchable tries.

At half time the Old Crocks were confidently ahead with the score board well in their favour. But whatever drinks the school lads sipped on certainly turned the game around directly after the start of the second half. Kearsney ran in three quick succession tries and as John Allan, CEO of the South African Rugby Legends Association said, “You had us worried!”

Tactical substitutions were obvious for the Old Crocks with Allan, coach for the game, keeping all the players rotating constantly. Special mention was made to Ron Byng, 51 year old eLan Rugby Legend, who remained on the pitch for the entire game. Allan encouraging all the youngsters, “No matter how old you are, you can still get out there and enjoy yourselves!” The young players were out classed by the wiser, more experienced team.

Hats off to the Kearsney 1st team for their great performance on a tough weekend, having played against the Westville 1st team the previous day. The 1st team look to have a wonderful season ahead of them.

The final score was 64-40 in the Old Crocks favour. Other results were:

Boys Schools Touch Rugby: 1st Maritzburg College
Girls Schools Touch Rugby: Kloof High School
Companies Touch Rugby: On Dad
Woman’s Touch Rugby: Team Chicken
Inter Schools Touch Rugby: Junior and Senior: Finningley House

The festival was also about learning and giving. Former Springbok flyhalf, Braam Van Straaten was flown up from George to take part in the highlight of the festival but also took a kicking clinic with budding flyhalves being coached by one of the greatest in South African rugby.

The fun filled day organised to create awareness for those injured in the game managed to raise R80,000 for two young former players. This is the highest amount that has been raised at the Mr Price Kearsney Touch Rugby Festival. Daniel Lombard and Tom Rout, keen rugby players are differently abled. Lombard was injured during a rugby game and Rout was involved in a car accident. Both “Heroes” received cheques for R40,000.

Lombard, a former Pretoria Boys High School player beamed when he graciously accepted the cheque stating that the money would go towards renovating his home to make it more wheel chair friendly. Rout, a former Kearsney boy, eagerly gave a thumbs up to the crowd in appreciation for their contribution.

John Slade, Captain for the eLan Rugby Legends Old Crocks team commented that all of the players loved taking part in the festival. “It is brilliant to have a run around in such a well organised tournament. All the guys thoroughly enjoyed themselves.”

The day ended on a high with eLan Rugby Legend, Andile Nyembezi leading the stand of enthusiastic Kearsney Boys in a heart lifting “Shosholoza”.

The Mr Price Kearsney Touch Rugby Festival is a lovely hunting ground for the eLan Rugby Legends Old Crocks rugby team as they notched up yet another victory against the Kearsney 1st Team in their annual clash.

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ESPA Golf Day
Mt Edgecombe Golf Estate: 15 April 2009

Perfect conditions at the Mt Edgecombe Golf Estate greeted players all taking part in the Ex-Sharks Players Association (ESPA) Golf Day organised by the South African Rugby Legends Association on 15 April.

The day featured Legends from the squash, rugby, cricket and golfing fraternities, attracting huge support and had exceptionally talented and competitive four balls.

The annual fundraising event supports players who have fallen on hard times. The ESPA trust was set up in 2006 and has been actively supporting and giving input on a range of issues to the KwaZulu Natal Rugby Union.

Rugby hero and eLan Rugby Legend, the Rolls Royce of fullbacks, Andre Joubert celebrated his birthday in fine style on the course. The former Springbok showed his prowess with the golf clubs scoring an impressive 81 and was one place out of the prizes.

Competition rules were four ball alliance. The honours went to Neil Champion; Sharks fullback and flyhalf Len Olivier; Gerhard Human and Jon Campbell. Their total was 90.

The second four ball was awarded to Lance Klusner; Mervin Ridgeway; David Rush and Pat Symcox. The third four ball was Andrew Thompson; Steve Van Greunen; Greg Taylor and Roy Rudham.

The longest drive went to Andre Snyman on the 18th hole.

Closest to the pin went to Stever Cooper on the 9th hole and Greg Van Holdt on the 15th.

Sporting legends who took part in the day were Adrian Hansen, squash; Lance Klusner, Pat Symcox, Barry Richards cricket; Andre Joubert, Hugh Reece Edwards, Wayne Fyvie, John Allan, Andre Snyman, Rod Gould, Dick Muir, Brad McLeod Henderson, Conan Sharman who are all eLan Rugby Legends and current Sharks players Len Olivier, Adrian Jacobs, Keegan Daniels, Jacques Botes, Johan Muller, Charl McLeod and John Smit.

A successful day on the course was had at the Mt Edgecombe Golf Estate on 15 April to raise money for ESPA, be sure to take part next year.

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Skonk Nicholson Rugby Festival
Maritzburg College: 5 April 2009

Maritzburg College played host to 21 different schools from around the country at the Powerade Skonk Nicholson Rugby Festival and the South African Rugby Legends Association took advantage of this on Sunday 5 April 2009.

Passionate youths lined the touchline to be part of the clinic hosted by former rugby legends who have donned the Springbok jersey. Leading the clinic was Ian McIntosh who was in a very chipper mood. He stressed the need for basics in all school coaching.

The day started off with a moments silence at the loss of one of the coaches who tragically drowned in the school pool. The festival that honours one of rugby’s greats, Skonk Nicholson, endorses the qualities of rugby that have been promoted by Nicholson himself. Nicholson, now 92, has been part of school rugby since 1944 and seen many a Springbok player pass through his team. Nicholson has been recognised with many awards and tributes in his long distinguished career and now with the fantastic Easter Rugby Festival, named in his honour, which has 21 schools partaking. Nicholson can be seen on the sidelines supporting and parting with advice.

“Mac” introduced all of the former Springbok and Provincial players who were there, giving of their time to share their talent with the future generation of the game. All drills showing basic skills were then displayed by the Legends and the Maritzburg College U16 Team.

After the drills, with fantastic displays by both the U16 school boys and the older generation of rugby players, the enthusiastic school boys swarmed down onto the field to take part in some hands on training. Dividing them up into their positions, the young players were given the opportunity to have specialised coaching with a few tips being given to them by their heroes.

Former Sharks, Springbok player, coach and Legend, Dick Muir commented, “It is amazing to see how many players know the tricks to the game, watching the Super 14 and other international games teaches them all the flashy moves but the core of the game seems to have been forgotten. Coaches must put emphasis on the basics in all the training which will be carried through into the game. With that grounding, you can build on that and improve.”

The South African Rugby Legends Association travelled to Maritzburg College to the largest schools rugby festival, the Powerade Skonk Nicholson Rugby Festival on 5 April 2009, parting with their worldly experience to their captive audience.

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Iqhawe Team take part in schools festival
Voortrekker High School: 29 March 2009

The South African Rugby Legends Association’s Iqhawe team took time out of the class room to show off their skills in the Voortrekker High School Rugby Festival on 29 March.

The Iqhawe project is driven by the South African Rugby Legends Association and is currently being run in both the Eastern Cape and Kwa Zulu Natal. 40 players were selected to take part in the programme where they are taught more than just rugby skills. It is an eight month social development programme.

The 40 players in Kwa Zulu Natal were offered the opportunity to take part in the Voortrekker High School Rugby Festival and played against a very composed Vryheid High School.

The game started with both teams testing each other out and the defence from both sides were impressive. What was inspiring, was both teams’ abilities to kick. A place kick from the half way line was not a challenge for either team, and both fly-halves showed off their golden boot with a steady roll over of points being slotted through the uprights.

The development team showed off their great team spirit and communication with Vryheid playing some wonderful running rugby but not breaking through the Iqhawe’s defence.

What was proven was the hunger inspired by natural talent which could be put to great skill followed by the right training. The Iqhawe team were fantastic on - field and through this programme have now got the opportunity to make their mark in a game they are certainly passionate about.

The Iqhawe team did extremely well against the well organised Vryheid High School at the Voortrekker High School Rugby Festival on the 29 March in Pietermaritzburg.

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Launch of the South African Legends Academy

Heroes of the past are injecting a wealth of experience into the Border region with the launching of the South African Legends Academy at Grens High School on 4 February 2009.

The academy offers youngsters an opportunity to join the professional ranks. Spending two to three years at the academy, the youngster will have the advantage of being trained by professional coaches and ex Provincial and Springbok players. Aside from the sport, emphasis on education is also important with a choice of two courses from Damelin being offered. Management Marketing and National Sports Science Diploma will be part of the curriculum at the academy. This ensures that the talented players will have something besides sport as a profession.

The ‘first of its kind’ academy has been the vision of Steyn Swart, who has been getting the ball rolling for the past two years. A former Border and Eastern Province player, Swart is delighted to have the backing of the South African Rugby Legends Association, “Having the opportunity for these youngsters to be coached by legends like Breyton Paulse and Gary Teichmann is a phenomenal opportunity for them.”

Talking about the future for the area created by the academy, Swart explains: “The academy will keep our young players in the Border region and will strengthen our provincial side in years to come, making us a force to be reckoned with. It gives the young players a reason to remain in our province as the level of our rugby improves.”

37 players have been enrolled for this year with the aim of making either the U19 or U21 sides for Border. The talent can now be nurtured in their own backyard. The club rugby scene will be improved with the academy players having the opportunity of playing for various clubs in the area, earning them game time away from the academy.

Another 10 players will be enrolled next year and so the academy will grow. Numbers will remain small as a more personal approach is being used with intimate classes. This academy is independent that it can supply players to all provinces but coached and nurtured in their comfort zones close to their roots.

Students can enroll with the South African Legends Academy once their school career is complete. The average age is 18 and 85% of the students are from the Eastern Cape. The development of players is at the forefront for the academy. This ties in with a cause which is at the heart of the South African Rugby Legends Association- youth development, with a number of programmes being run by SARLA strengthening rugby at the grass roots level of the game and making a difference in young people’s lives.

The South African Legends Academy creates opportunity for rugby lovers in the Border region and is being launched on 4 February at Grens High School.

For more information go to www.sarugbylegends.com

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