SARU and SA Rugby Legends join forces to host national U15 tournament
Provincial teams drawn from non-traditional rugby schools arrive in Cape Town this weekend for the kick off of the second Under-15 Legends Iqhawe tournament at Athlone’s City Park on Monday.
The competition brings together U15 teams from all 14 provincial unions made up of players from schools where rugby has been introduced in local and regional competitions for under-privileged communities.
The tournament is part of SARU’s long-term player development pathway and is managed and driven by the South African Rugby Legends Association (SARLA) as part of their Vuka programme.
“We enjoyed a very successful first year in 2013 bringing together eight provincial teams from South Africa , drawn mainly from regions and schools who are non-traditional rugby playing schools”, said Jurie Roux, CEO of SARU.
“We want to create a pathway for as many young learners as possible , who have rugby talent , to participate in a tournament on equal par with the Grant Khomo and Craven Weeks.”
SARLA has been at the forefront of creating opportunities for young talent via their Vuka Rugby programme, which is now in its seventh year.
The Legends Iqhawe Week is the annual culmination of the programme, fulfilling the need for a national tournament similar to the more mainstream rugby schools’ weeks.
“Vuka has been running successfully in the Western Cape for the past seven years and is also now running in KZN”, said SARLA’s Iqhawe Tournament Coordinator, former Springbok centre Pieter Muller.
“One of the key objectives of SARLA is to give back to the game of rugby and to help in transforming the lives of young people, which is why we established Vuka. We saw this as a major need in communities who don’t necessarily offer rugby as an activity, and to also help unlock the vast potential and talent that exists in these areas”, said Muller.
Vuka is now a highlight on the calendar of schools in the Cape Flats region, and is seen as an opportunity to further develop players to be drafted into the more formal structures of rugby at various levels.
“Following last year’s tournament, won by the Western Province team, we are pleased that the full complement of Unions are participating in this year’s tournament,” said Muller. “Now, more than ever, it is vital that we offer programmes like this to assist SARU achieve their transformation objectives.”
The Tournament take paces between 09h00 to 15h00 on Monday October 6 and Tuesday October 7 and concludes on Thursday, October 8 from 09h00 to 12h00, with Wednesday being a rest day.
Entrance to the stadium is free.
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