The Sunday News
Mehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter
THE second edition of the AMG Global Falcon College Under-14 Rugby Coaching Festival where youngsters get expert mentoring from South African specialists is expected to be bigger this year with more schools participating in the event which will run from 7 to 9 April.
Five South Africa coaches are coming to Zimbabwe where they will impart their knowledge of the game to up-and-coming talent in the country over a three-day period. The coaches are the Investec Rugby Academy manager Greg Miller, former KwaZulu-Natal loose forward Jacques Botes, Nico Le Roux an ex-technical advisor to New Zealand, Michael Horak a past defence coach for English premiership side London Irish and Jaco Coetzee who played over 130 games for the Free State Cheetahs.
Orlando Fernandes, the tournament director said they were looking at 300 players this year, which is double the 140 who came last year. The numbers have been boosted by the addition of three schools first teams, Falcon College, Christian Brothers College and Lomagundi. A Bulawayo primary school, Whitestone are also taking part which saw the organisers invite Barwick of Mutorashanga. The Under-14 teams which have entered the tournament are Falcon College, Lomagundi, CBC, Gateway, Northlea, Churchill, Hillcrest, Heritage and Midlands Christian College.
“Our tournament is bigger this year, we had a request from first teams from Falcon College, CBC and Lomagundi to take part because they are going on tour. We are looking at 300 children this year up from 140 last year. The teams are arriving on the Thursday and leave on Monday,’’ said Fernandes.
He expressed his gratitude to their main sponsors AMG Global who have increased their sponsorship from last year. He, however, did not want to dwell much on the figures involved since their main focus is on the development of the youngsters by exposing them to high level coaching. AMG Global, a chartered accountant firm are also bankrolling the dinner to be held at the White Rock Centre on 8 April.
On the format of the festival, Fernandes said the structure is the same as last year. Schools like Peterhouse and St George’s College are not sending their teams but are sending their coaches instead to learn from the experts.
@Mdawini_29
