Three part guide for introducing rugby to the townships in South Africa

Having retained the Webb Ellis trophy in France the Springboks brought jubilation to millions of South Africans who are struggling with so many challenges facing the country. In Green and gold brought the trophy back to South Africa after a hard fought victory against the All Black at Stad De France. The question which so many South Africans ask is how do we make the sport of rugby more accessible to all young people especially to learners in the township with the intention of unearthing the next Siya kholisi. The turn rugby is not synonymous with the expression of ‘township’. Kids in the township grow up playing football and that it, finished and klaar.

?

The time is right to have agents of change and to undo the stereo type of linking specific sports to specific race groups. Young people in the township can play rugby but the sport needs to be introduced through gradual steps. Stage 1 of introducing rugby in the township is starting of by introducing a inter house and inter school flag rugby league. This is beneficial because it teaches the core skills of rugby without the physical element. This also serves as a fantastic game of tag in physical education classes. In essence how the game is played is that it’s the same rules as rugby but once the opponent flags have been tagged then possession turns over after the 5th tag. Once participants have mastered the basic skills of agility, dodging and catching will we then move over to touch rugby, which is stage two of the three phase plan of moving into full contact rugby. In New Zealand, children play touch rugby until they are 15 years old before moving to full contact rugby. This is done to give the learners confidence in performing the fundamentals of the sport without physical contact. Sponsors need to come on board to run this operation as a CSI project. SuperSport had the Lets Play challenge a few years ago catering to 2000 young people, its important to have organisation’s plough back into the development of touch and flag rugby especially in previously disadvantaged communities.

?

Additionally, playing touch and tag rugby is a great way to have interactive physical education classes. Once participants have mastered touch and tag rugby can we start introducing contact rugby from age 15 in the townships. ???