We often hear the rugby field referred to as a battlefield, a place not for the faint hearted or weak willed.
There is no doubt that Rugby is a very physically demanding sport, and the higher the level played, the higher the emphasis is placed on the physical aspects of preparation and mental toughness. A prime example being, Tarryn (our physio ) being asked to get Chris Keet patched-up and back on the field after suffering a nasty facial gash against Bishops.
As coach for 2009, I gave a lot of thought to the chemistry, training, needs and goals that would be needed into making this group a successful composition of individuals who would ultimately proudly bear the responsibilities of wearing the blue and gold jersey each week, preserving the pride of those that have played before and the many different traditions and levels of history that exist across the Bosch rugby environment.
For many years, individual skill was seen as a key component of being selected in successful Rondebosch sides – this year was no different. The personal attributes of paceman like Hendri Van Niekerk and Justin Filies, deception and strength on the ground unlike Jamie Croeser, the solid tackling defence of Daniel Gluckman and successfully being able to play various positions well and with an accomplished skill factor was Chris Keet, all willingly showed their talent each week.
More and more as our season evolved, other considerations had to be taken into account when selecting a side, from the King Edward VII Festival against Westville Boys’ High school, the hosts KES and Pretoria Boys’ to The Cape Schools Week and Grey College, Sebourne and Muir. The issue of physical presence being my number one consideration, the need to dominate our opposition, especially those teams from Boland. Luckily for us one player none more intimidating than SA Schools and Craven Week hooker Gary Topkin was found and secondly the skilful bulldog ability and the team needed the coolness of head to make correct decisions under pressure, this became our vice-captain Steven Wallace’s weekly role.
The success of this year’s team is that it had one requirement that is necessary for any team, the necessity of players to have a “warrior” like attitude. Captain Chad Matthews I believe demonstrated this attribute in each game. Playing as warriors is what often made them more deadly than their opponents, The St Stithians and Bishops games spring to mind.
A number of our opposition could well have had on paper a more skilled team of individuals in their respective positions, but they lacked the “warrior attitude” in their hearts to compete and got run over by recognisable strength this year, our scrum. To have uncontested scrums in more than two matches proved our domination in this area. One such game being against the hardened Paarl Gim community.
Our side contained individuals like Joel Carew, Jonty Milne and Benjamin Shaw, who were prepared to put their bodies on the line for each other and the team for eighty minutes, to play above any individual performance goals and make correct decisions under pressure. Enough warriors could be found this year who were prepared to put in the hard physical, tactical and mental work, Darryn Berry and Matthew Foster certainly showed the way.
Having prepared for the tough fixture list from October last year the team sacrificed their school holidays, public holidays and any free time for training.
The 2009 season could possibly be summed up as ‘How many games are won and lost in the last 5 minutes?’ The team’s true character generally came through at this point, thanks to fitness coach Kyle Dodds. It was a pity not to play SACS a second time round, as the first game proud to be one of our highest scoring matches. The rain god’s certainly played their part this season and nearly all our matches were played in the rain, our match against Paul Roos being called off due to flooded fields.
Many ‘Thanks’ go to Gustaf, our manager, video analyst and statistician, who would suggest that many of our games were won by our digging in and fighting for every inch of the territory, taking the battle up front with Louw Naude and Rayn Smit physically contesting each ruck, and in the later stages of a game when physical and mental endurance were being tested at a higher level the ever ready substitutes of Grant Greeff, Edward Gregory and Andrew Moir would lend a hand. And in our time of real need Nic Simpson would simply be called on and immediately display a “warrior attitude” and ultimately score a try or two.
Of course, every rugby team also needs a higher intelligence and Simon Bergman our resident scientist filled this role, as well as sheer determination and brawn by Michael Aristidou, and of the chosen warriors are also intelligent long range kickers, play makers like Scott van Breda, who built our recipe for success through the boot.
We cannot forget about individual skill in our side – surely Cameron Wright ranks amongst the best. All players in modern rugby must be able to pass, run evasively, take the ball into contact correctly, tackle safely, kick with precision and communicate effectively as well as playing their respective individual and unit positional requirements. I believe this year we had some of the finest.
At the end when the fat lady sings, you will find yourself with a good spread of warriors on your side , know that you have played with some of the best skilled players Rondebosch has ever seen.
Who knows – next year you may just end up with the right chemistry mix and you might have an enjoyable and successful season playing for your province, club, university or country. Wherever you find yourself next year and the years to come, keep the “Pride, the Passion and the Perfection” in all you do!
We have two awards this year, the “Golden Boot” and the” Players Player of the year”.
It gives me great pleasure congratulate Scott van Breda on receiving the “Golden Boot” award for 2009.
The “Players Player of the year”, voted by the players for the player who in their mind deserves to be known as the player of the year. A person they would gladly go to the end of the world for. The “Players Player of the year “ for 2009 is Chris Keet.
Altius et Latius
Showing posts with label rugby. Show all posts
Showing posts with label rugby. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Cape Schools Rugby Week
The Rugby results from the Cape Schools Week held over the June holidays at SACS attest to the new regime of skills and resistance training that is proving to be a valuable foundation for all our rugby players. The commitment of the 1st and 2nd XV squads to sometimes seven sessions per week of training, including weights and speed/endurance sessions, is setting a strong example for the rest of the School.
The results also point to some success from our planned program to build, from the junior sides up, the participation rates, skills and strength of rugby at Rondebosch Boys’ High School.
The coordinated, three-sessions-a-week coaching program for all 14s to senior teams is well under way for this season and we now have 10 old boys regularly coaching our junior and senior rugby teams.
The Rondebosch Boys’ High School 1st XV v Grey 1st XV matches has traditionally been a close, hard fought encounter.
This year was no exception with the teams going tackle for tackle. Grey High preventing a Cape Schools clean sweep at the opening of the Cape Schools Week. Rondebosch as always responded well to the physicality of the game. Scores were locked at 12-all and then 17-all. With two minutes to go 21-20, Grey then broke through the midfield and scored to take the match to 27 – 21. Lock-forward Louw Naude adjudicated ‘Man of the Match’.
In the second match of the festival Selbourne threw everything at our side.
The Selbourne forwards were relentless in the rucks and in defence. Our back line attempted to penetrated for the whole match, demonstrating enhanced skill levels and fitness, but devilish tackling stopped us from scoring. Scott van Breda had his kicking boots on and slotted all the points for the match whenever a penalty was awarded in Selbourne’s 22m. At the final siren, the 1st XV was stormed from the sidelines by the 200 strong Bosch supporters, celebrating a hard earned 15-8 win. Scott van Breda selected as ‘Man of the Match’.
The final game for the festival was against Muir College. With numerous players away on holiday and slight niggles, the team called up one or two second, third and under 16 players. Urged on by Steven Wallace, stand-in captain and ‘Man of the Match’, the palpable high spirit and a relentless drive to not give up, our boys responded with a convincing win by mauling in 7 tries to take and keep the victory 39-09.
My thanks must go out to the players who have sacrificed all their holidays, public holiday’s and weekends for the glory of Rondebosch rugby. The two weeks off will do load to replenish the batteries and I encourage our parents and players to spend time together as a family.
The seriousness with which our rugby is taken can be seen by the advanced training equipment being erected at school. Firstly a tackling machine, the first of its kind in the country has just been completed and will soon be in use. With the new changes in rules and regulations in the tackle, we want to be at the leading edge of training technology, the apparatus will train youngsters how to tackle correctly and remain on their feet, and drive the opposition backwards, thus giving away fewer penalties.
Secondly, we have a new tackling bag which holds a ball for coaching players to the ball on the ground and how to capture space when counter-rucking is already in use by some of the teams.
Rondebosch will once again be defending their winner’s trophy at the Villagers’ 7’s tournament, along with a definite plan to succeed at the Hamilton’s 7’s. Training has begun under the watchful eye of Mike v Rheede and Bob MacFarlane, and strategist Tom Dawson-Squibb.
The results also point to some success from our planned program to build, from the junior sides up, the participation rates, skills and strength of rugby at Rondebosch Boys’ High School.
The coordinated, three-sessions-a-week coaching program for all 14s to senior teams is well under way for this season and we now have 10 old boys regularly coaching our junior and senior rugby teams.
The Rondebosch Boys’ High School 1st XV v Grey 1st XV matches has traditionally been a close, hard fought encounter.
This year was no exception with the teams going tackle for tackle. Grey High preventing a Cape Schools clean sweep at the opening of the Cape Schools Week. Rondebosch as always responded well to the physicality of the game. Scores were locked at 12-all and then 17-all. With two minutes to go 21-20, Grey then broke through the midfield and scored to take the match to 27 – 21. Lock-forward Louw Naude adjudicated ‘Man of the Match’.
In the second match of the festival Selbourne threw everything at our side.
The Selbourne forwards were relentless in the rucks and in defence. Our back line attempted to penetrated for the whole match, demonstrating enhanced skill levels and fitness, but devilish tackling stopped us from scoring. Scott van Breda had his kicking boots on and slotted all the points for the match whenever a penalty was awarded in Selbourne’s 22m. At the final siren, the 1st XV was stormed from the sidelines by the 200 strong Bosch supporters, celebrating a hard earned 15-8 win. Scott van Breda selected as ‘Man of the Match’.
The final game for the festival was against Muir College. With numerous players away on holiday and slight niggles, the team called up one or two second, third and under 16 players. Urged on by Steven Wallace, stand-in captain and ‘Man of the Match’, the palpable high spirit and a relentless drive to not give up, our boys responded with a convincing win by mauling in 7 tries to take and keep the victory 39-09.
My thanks must go out to the players who have sacrificed all their holidays, public holiday’s and weekends for the glory of Rondebosch rugby. The two weeks off will do load to replenish the batteries and I encourage our parents and players to spend time together as a family.
The seriousness with which our rugby is taken can be seen by the advanced training equipment being erected at school. Firstly a tackling machine, the first of its kind in the country has just been completed and will soon be in use. With the new changes in rules and regulations in the tackle, we want to be at the leading edge of training technology, the apparatus will train youngsters how to tackle correctly and remain on their feet, and drive the opposition backwards, thus giving away fewer penalties.
Secondly, we have a new tackling bag which holds a ball for coaching players to the ball on the ground and how to capture space when counter-rucking is already in use by some of the teams.
Rondebosch will once again be defending their winner’s trophy at the Villagers’ 7’s tournament, along with a definite plan to succeed at the Hamilton’s 7’s. Training has begun under the watchful eye of Mike v Rheede and Bob MacFarlane, and strategist Tom Dawson-Squibb.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Jake White and I
Thanks to Global Trading for their generous sponsorship, five of the High School coaches attended the Jake White’s Winning Ways Coaches Academy. The academy held at Paul Roos in Stellenbosch over three days and nights was the first of a number of courses being held around the country for the coaches of rugby. The lectures included Dr Sherylle Calder two time World Cup medal holder on visual performances, former springbok physiotherapist Clint Readhead, Balie Swart on scrumming techniques ,Dr Henning Gericke on the psychology of the game, Prof Derik Coetzee on all aspects of players’ conditioning, also Discovery and nutrition. Then drills, skills and lectures by the experts Eddie Jones and Jake White rounded off each night.
The lectures included practical demonstrations with question and answer time from all present. Balie Swart making use of our coaches Tim Rawbone and Brad van der Westhuizen in a scrum coaching demonstration.
Congratulations and our best wishes go to the three players that made the Western Province Academy team, Rajn Smid as lock, Joel Carew as loosehead prop and Justin Filies as left wing. Once again our school has also produced a Craven Week player with hooker Gary Topkin representing Western Province in the Craven week being held in East London in July. Gary scored his first try against the Boland Craven side on Tuesday in a friendly warm-up match which saw province run out victorious by over 50 points. The players will be training and playing matches for their province leading up to the weeks and will therefore be unavailable for selection for their school sides against Bishops 20 June 11:20 , and the Cape Schools week being played at SACS against Grey 27 June 12:00 , Selbourne 29 June 09:00 and Muir 1 July 12:00.
Although this is a blow to the team, we are pleased that they have been recognised by the province. This also offers opportunities for players who have been on the edge of 1st Xv rugby getting an opportunity to play at the highest level.
As we hit the mid season break, it is good to look back at the performances of our teams and revisit areas that we feel need attention. The senior teams have performed well and have shown their strength against all opposition, our u16 and 15 age groups battled flu and injury to maintain a winning edge and will have the coaches working extra hard to produce positive growth and winning skills with the players available come the new term.
The sponsorship of a new scrumming machine by old boy Denis Nic will ease the load on the larger machine and can be used on fields as a teaching device as it is designed to ski on the grass rather than dig into the turf. Teams can now practice running their backlines off the machine as well as teaching the eighth-man, flanks and scrum-half how to work the hinge or vacuum area around the scrum.
Once again the Impact Concussion programme has shown its worth over the high school’s examination period as doctors were able to have data to assist their diagnosis of player’s concussion in games. Player’s exam scripts and marks are carefully analysed by staff in the case of a boy suffering from concussion.
A gentle request from the coaches is that the parents watching the games comment about their own son’s performance and refrain from negative comments and shouting at the players from the side-line. We ask that parents watch their own child and when they come off the field win or lose, comment on their own performance, stressing and emphasising their positive play. The game is hard enough without parents slating a player’s poor performance.
The lectures included practical demonstrations with question and answer time from all present. Balie Swart making use of our coaches Tim Rawbone and Brad van der Westhuizen in a scrum coaching demonstration.
Congratulations and our best wishes go to the three players that made the Western Province Academy team, Rajn Smid as lock, Joel Carew as loosehead prop and Justin Filies as left wing. Once again our school has also produced a Craven Week player with hooker Gary Topkin representing Western Province in the Craven week being held in East London in July. Gary scored his first try against the Boland Craven side on Tuesday in a friendly warm-up match which saw province run out victorious by over 50 points. The players will be training and playing matches for their province leading up to the weeks and will therefore be unavailable for selection for their school sides against Bishops 20 June 11:20 , and the Cape Schools week being played at SACS against Grey 27 June 12:00 , Selbourne 29 June 09:00 and Muir 1 July 12:00.
Although this is a blow to the team, we are pleased that they have been recognised by the province. This also offers opportunities for players who have been on the edge of 1st Xv rugby getting an opportunity to play at the highest level.
As we hit the mid season break, it is good to look back at the performances of our teams and revisit areas that we feel need attention. The senior teams have performed well and have shown their strength against all opposition, our u16 and 15 age groups battled flu and injury to maintain a winning edge and will have the coaches working extra hard to produce positive growth and winning skills with the players available come the new term.
The sponsorship of a new scrumming machine by old boy Denis Nic will ease the load on the larger machine and can be used on fields as a teaching device as it is designed to ski on the grass rather than dig into the turf. Teams can now practice running their backlines off the machine as well as teaching the eighth-man, flanks and scrum-half how to work the hinge or vacuum area around the scrum.
Once again the Impact Concussion programme has shown its worth over the high school’s examination period as doctors were able to have data to assist their diagnosis of player’s concussion in games. Player’s exam scripts and marks are carefully analysed by staff in the case of a boy suffering from concussion.
A gentle request from the coaches is that the parents watching the games comment about their own son’s performance and refrain from negative comments and shouting at the players from the side-line. We ask that parents watch their own child and when they come off the field win or lose, comment on their own performance, stressing and emphasising their positive play. The game is hard enough without parents slating a player’s poor performance.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
The Beginning
The Beginning
Firstly, this month is a large month of ‘thankyou’s; to the Bosch Rugby Supporters Club and the Boland Old Boys for giving us the opportunity that the training camp afforded the team to develop and grow.
There were some great lectures, work and effort made by the players, coaches, management, support staff and supporters of Rondebosch rugby, thank you! The camp site at Turner’s (E94) Bontebok Ridge was the perfect setting for a team get-a-away.
Training rugby line-outs and performing backline moves whilst the Bontebok looked on seemed odd, yet relaxing. Meal time was a learning process on its own, with the teams having to cook for forty people on military style cookers (fun was the name of the game around supper time). The tents were only used to store the older generation and kit as the team slept under the stars, until it rained.
Secondly, ‘Thanks’ to staff who during the weekend gave the team lectures on various topics; on nutrition - Tarryn Povey, Backline moves - Gareth Wright, Forward play – Robbie Kempson, mental health and goals – Thomas Dawson-Squibb, motivation – Andrew Louwrens and rugby related skills, myself.
1st XV
The 1st XV had a disappointing start to the season with a loss 10-0 against Paul Roos in the Canal Walk Newlands Rugby Day. The 40 minute match played at Newlands under lights offered the coaches the chance at seeing the players in their positions and playing under pressure. The warm up game came just before the Easter break, before the training camp and the King Edwards VII Rugby Festival.
An excellent run of game strategy, planning and player management at the King Edward VII Rugby Festival saw the team climbing the confidence table and start thinking about winning each time they took the field.
The games were dotted with some fantastic displays, especially when the chips were down and our players needed to dig real deep into their fitness and concentration levels. All our matches were against high league opposition and the games won seemed lost in the first half and yet easy in the second. Our play never started off comfortably or to the pre-game plans, only after harsh or stern words at half-time did the team play their normal play.
All in all Rondebosch has some excellent players with the player of the tournament for myself being the captain Chad Matthews, followed by a number of polished performances by Louw NAude, Michael Aristidou, Jamie Croeser and Matthew Foster to name but a few. A lack of experience and depth in the tight five meant that a number of players were shifted each game and taught how to handle these new positions to carry us through the festival. Hopefully this problem has been solved and the best five will now start each game.
The final scores being a win against Westville Boys’ High School 18-15, a narrow loss to KEZ in the dying seconds of the game 24-15, and a well earned win against Pretoria Boys’ High School 22-18.
A huge thank you must be sent to the Headmaster, parents, old boys and staff that attended the festival and supported our efforts.
U15 Paarl Boys Festival
Coaches and players worked as hard as they could to have a team ready for the Paarl Boys Festival. The final results and competition helping the team prepare for the season ahead. The team played against tough opposition and narrowly lost two matches namely, Menlow Park 10-0, Jeppe Boys’ High 14-13 and finally drew against Swartkops from Pretoria 0-0. Thanks to the parents and coaches who gave up their holidays for the benefit of rugby at Rondebosch.
The Way forward
Player moral is high and training on the whole was enjoyable and light on our return from the festival, a number of factors came into play here however competition for places is great hence the feeling that they need to train is that great. The school is lucky to have the top four senior teams almost on par with each other in skills and game readiness, something that might’ve lacked before.
Thankfully we were able to put a team together without many injuries for the Paarl Gim match. The hush that settled across the fields in Paarl last Saturday gave the distinct feeling that not all the games were going the hosts’ way. I must congratulate all the teams for fine performances. The 1st Xv half time score of 3-3 had the opposition reeling, The teams, some narrowly missing out on wins, mostly in the dying seconds of the matches. A tough day in the field but fabulous skills show by several players. Our brand of rugby worked on by all the coaches seems to be working. A feather in the 1st XV’s cap was the decision by Paarl Gim not to scrum against our pack but rather take uncontested scrums, the final score being 13-6. One of the closest scores in the last ten years. This being the second school in just a few matches to crumble under our front row, well done coaches and players.
The u14A rugby team received an unexpected surprise as the 1stXV gave each of the players a token rugby ball before their first match, as Captain to Captain traditions are passed down.
Finally, it was a pleasure to have Springbok Seven’s coach Paul Trau drop by training this week to watch and offer advice to all our coaches. His presence and gentle manner in assisting was of great value to all, ‘thank you’ for your time.
The management and coaches wish all the teams participating in the Wynberg High School Festival the best of luck... Proudly pursuing perfection.
Firstly, this month is a large month of ‘thankyou’s; to the Bosch Rugby Supporters Club and the Boland Old Boys for giving us the opportunity that the training camp afforded the team to develop and grow.
There were some great lectures, work and effort made by the players, coaches, management, support staff and supporters of Rondebosch rugby, thank you! The camp site at Turner’s (E94) Bontebok Ridge was the perfect setting for a team get-a-away.
Training rugby line-outs and performing backline moves whilst the Bontebok looked on seemed odd, yet relaxing. Meal time was a learning process on its own, with the teams having to cook for forty people on military style cookers (fun was the name of the game around supper time). The tents were only used to store the older generation and kit as the team slept under the stars, until it rained.
Secondly, ‘Thanks’ to staff who during the weekend gave the team lectures on various topics; on nutrition - Tarryn Povey, Backline moves - Gareth Wright, Forward play – Robbie Kempson, mental health and goals – Thomas Dawson-Squibb, motivation – Andrew Louwrens and rugby related skills, myself.
1st XV
The 1st XV had a disappointing start to the season with a loss 10-0 against Paul Roos in the Canal Walk Newlands Rugby Day. The 40 minute match played at Newlands under lights offered the coaches the chance at seeing the players in their positions and playing under pressure. The warm up game came just before the Easter break, before the training camp and the King Edwards VII Rugby Festival.
An excellent run of game strategy, planning and player management at the King Edward VII Rugby Festival saw the team climbing the confidence table and start thinking about winning each time they took the field.
The games were dotted with some fantastic displays, especially when the chips were down and our players needed to dig real deep into their fitness and concentration levels. All our matches were against high league opposition and the games won seemed lost in the first half and yet easy in the second. Our play never started off comfortably or to the pre-game plans, only after harsh or stern words at half-time did the team play their normal play.
All in all Rondebosch has some excellent players with the player of the tournament for myself being the captain Chad Matthews, followed by a number of polished performances by Louw NAude, Michael Aristidou, Jamie Croeser and Matthew Foster to name but a few. A lack of experience and depth in the tight five meant that a number of players were shifted each game and taught how to handle these new positions to carry us through the festival. Hopefully this problem has been solved and the best five will now start each game.
The final scores being a win against Westville Boys’ High School 18-15, a narrow loss to KEZ in the dying seconds of the game 24-15, and a well earned win against Pretoria Boys’ High School 22-18.
A huge thank you must be sent to the Headmaster, parents, old boys and staff that attended the festival and supported our efforts.
U15 Paarl Boys Festival
Coaches and players worked as hard as they could to have a team ready for the Paarl Boys Festival. The final results and competition helping the team prepare for the season ahead. The team played against tough opposition and narrowly lost two matches namely, Menlow Park 10-0, Jeppe Boys’ High 14-13 and finally drew against Swartkops from Pretoria 0-0. Thanks to the parents and coaches who gave up their holidays for the benefit of rugby at Rondebosch.
The Way forward
Player moral is high and training on the whole was enjoyable and light on our return from the festival, a number of factors came into play here however competition for places is great hence the feeling that they need to train is that great. The school is lucky to have the top four senior teams almost on par with each other in skills and game readiness, something that might’ve lacked before.
Thankfully we were able to put a team together without many injuries for the Paarl Gim match. The hush that settled across the fields in Paarl last Saturday gave the distinct feeling that not all the games were going the hosts’ way. I must congratulate all the teams for fine performances. The 1st Xv half time score of 3-3 had the opposition reeling, The teams, some narrowly missing out on wins, mostly in the dying seconds of the matches. A tough day in the field but fabulous skills show by several players. Our brand of rugby worked on by all the coaches seems to be working. A feather in the 1st XV’s cap was the decision by Paarl Gim not to scrum against our pack but rather take uncontested scrums, the final score being 13-6. One of the closest scores in the last ten years. This being the second school in just a few matches to crumble under our front row, well done coaches and players.
The u14A rugby team received an unexpected surprise as the 1stXV gave each of the players a token rugby ball before their first match, as Captain to Captain traditions are passed down.
Finally, it was a pleasure to have Springbok Seven’s coach Paul Trau drop by training this week to watch and offer advice to all our coaches. His presence and gentle manner in assisting was of great value to all, ‘thank you’ for your time.
The management and coaches wish all the teams participating in the Wynberg High School Festival the best of luck... Proudly pursuing perfection.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Coaching our players to 'bite the bullet'
The incident between Bishops and Paarl this weekend reminds coaches of the responsibility we have for ensuring that discipline and team ethics are carried into our games no matter what the opposition. The past week saw numerous incidents at school boy level of players taking their frustrations out on the opponent. The coach should always remind the team that without an opponent their is no game.
Parents form a greater part of the games discipline than they realise. Comments, shouts and words of anger from the touchline insight the players to carry the moments of frustration out into violence. Should our local derbies be carried out without crowds and old boys?
Parents form a greater part of the games discipline than they realise. Comments, shouts and words of anger from the touchline insight the players to carry the moments of frustration out into violence. Should our local derbies be carried out without crowds and old boys?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
