Good news this week includes the increase in clubs that are now COVID certified, clubs that have now moved into phase two and the continued roll-out of our workshops with our clubs and club coaches.
We now have in excess of sixty clubs certified to return to training and a number of these clubs are now into the second phase of the “return to training” programme. The first phase of four weeks stays focused on Strength and Conditioning and after completion, they may move to more physical contact training. We remind our clubs to persevere and ensure that all the return to training regulations are adhered to strictly. We understand that protocols take time and effort, but these protocols are very important for the safety of our members and the continuation of club rugby.
By now most of our clubs have settled into a rhythm in relation to the practical aspects, but we do advise our clubs, especially those that are recently certified to consider the time factor. Encourage your players to get to the field as early as possible as screening and record-keeping takes some time before they get their boots on.
This week Monday saw DHL Stormers forwards coach Rito Hlungwani give a remarkable workshop on high-performance coaching, with a focus on attack and lineout sessions to our club coaches.
The session included exclusive behind the scenes
practice footage filmed on high-level cameras. The session was truly enlightening and clearly showed the advanced level our DHL Stormers and professional players train at and the detail involved in being a professional player.
We are very happy to say that our club players in the DHL WP Rugby u20 squad are exposed to the same level of High-Performance coaching which was on display in our workshop, as they prepare for this year’s u20 Currie Cup.
Our Universities have been training hard and are just about ready to play their first fixtures as the 2021 Varsity Cup starts on 4 April with UWC up against Shimlas and Maties against UCT. Both these fixtures will be played at the TUKS stadium. This is a first for us as we see both local sides play each other away from home in what would normally have been a local derby. CPUT will get their Varsity Shield ball rolling against Fort Hare at Loftus on 14 April 2021.
After four weeks of training our DHL WP Rugby Women’s Rugby team have moved into their next phase now including ball skills and drills. The squad of just over fifty women’s rugby players from several different clubs in Western Province is currently preparing for the Inter-Provincial Championships
This past Thursday saw our clubs attend our Lotto funding workshop as we prepare for the opening of the Lotto applications in April. Clubs should ensure that their documents such as constitution, financials, details of their Executive Committees and other paperwork are up to date.
We encourage all our club’s executive members to sign up for the online Club Leadership course which rolls out over the next six weeks starting this coming Wednesday 24 March 2021. The first session will focus on The Club constitution, the importance thereof, how to use the constitution, align the constitution and the amendment process. Additional topics include the policy guidelines process which goes hand in hand with the club constitution, strategy, and vision. The registration link can be obtained from the club secretary.