In these difficult times when broadcasting school rugby had become a need, not just a luxury, Northwood has a solution that other schools in the same bracket need to consider as well.
Northwood refused to allow a good day of schoolboy rugby to be let down by technical streaming problems, which would have prevented many supporters from watching the action. Crowds were not permitted to attend the home matches against Westville on 23 April 2021, due to Covid lockdown regulations. So the Durban North school turned to YouTube, dual broadcasting their rugby on the DigiTV platform and Google’s first class product. The result was that while DigiTV struggled and often froze, the viewing experience on YouTube was uninterrupted.
There are lots of good things happening in Northwood rugby at the moment. Best illustrated by their 6 out of 8 match wins in the abbreviated A and B-team only interschools against established Westville. Putting it into perspective, Westville were/are so often associated with producing these overall outcomes against others in the province.
Now Northwood who has had extended periods as KZN top tier afterthought, is very much a primetime feature on the annual rugby calendar. This in no small part to their dedelicated rugby staff, the “rugbyman” at the headmaster helm and importantly the essential funds to advance their cause. And when you enjoy success in schoolboy rugby, you invariably have an attached growing interest amongst old boys, former parents and others with associations to a school.
For being able to recognise this and satisfy the demand, full marks to Northwood.
I believe Jeremy is top notch, and will no doubt add great value. Grant Bashford has done great things with the 1st team and Northwood seem to have some quality coaches and old boys involved.
The 1st team may not be as strong this year as they have had the last 2-3 years perhaps, but so excited to see the junior A&B results. A clean sweep of victories against Westville would have been unhead of even a few years ago. Very happy to see Northwood rugby competing as they should, and at the same level as their hockey.
And a very good coach in Jeremy McClaren