BokSmart safety campaign gets Springbok boost
The South African Rugby Union’s drive to make rugby safer was backed by Springbok coach Peter de Villiers on Monday when he completed the BokSmart certification process in Cape Town.
De Villiers, assistant coaches Dick Muir and Gary Gold as well as Andy Marinos, the SARU National Teams Manager, attended a half-day workshop to receive their BokSmart certification. The course is designed to ensure that all coaches and referees are properly equipped to coach and referee rugby in a safe manner.
SARU put in place regulations last year that only BokSmart certified coaches and referees will be allowed to operate in South Africa as of 2011. Provinces, clubs, rugby bodies and schools are not allowed to host any matches without ensuring that all match officials and participating coaches are BokSmart certified.
“This is a major and important initiative that can have a dramatic impact on rugby safety – particularly in poorer areas,” said de Villiers. “Players are at risk if their coaches and referees are not properly trained to identify potential risks and to make sure they are avoided in practice.
“At the elite end of the game we are very fortunate to have all the medical expertise and back up you could ever wish for, but it is critical that all rugby coaches and referees – even national coaches – understand the BokSmart message and back this very important programme.”
BokSmart, which is sponsored by Absa, has conducted more than 803 rugby safety workshops across the 14 South African rugby unions with a total of 18 050 referees and coaches having been certified since its launch in July 2009.
“This is a significant day for BokSmart – to have the national coaches certified on the programme,” said BokSmart Project Manager, Dr Wayne Viljoen. “The elite end of the game is very well managed from a safety point of view, but the message is applies equally at all levels of the game.
“Having Peter, Dick and Gary accredited sends out the clear message that no coach – or referee – can have any excuse for taking this course.”
Peter de Villiers added: “There was nothing like this in the areas and at the time that I was playing rugby and individuals and families have suffered as a result. The benefits of BokSmart are in many ways invisible – because it’s designed to stop injuries happening – but the effects will be felt in all our communities over time.”
For further information on BokSmart, visit www.BokSmart.com .
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