A very worrying financial dilemma at Dale Junior in Qonce (King William’s Town) has grabbed far-reaching attention.
It should also be concerning for rugby development on a national scale because Dale plays a vital role in giving a high number of Xhosa-speaking youngsters their first proper taste of the sport and serves as nurturing ground, providing a foundation for skill development, teamwork, and a passion for rugby.
For many schools, outside financial support often goes hand-in-hand with the confidence backers have that their funding will achieve the intended objectives, be it short, medium or long-term. Without the internal and external sources of funds or other economic resources to cover the costs of the coaching, the equipment, the facilities, the gear and travel arrangements, there is a good chance that the current net provided by Dale Junior to catch talent would be lost forever. Since there isn’t a viable replacement for Dale Junior in the region, odds are that many young rugby players would either not have an opportunity to play and an even greater one that those with potential would not be able to develop at a rate and to a level that opens up meaningful high school rugby related opportunities.
@Ystervark (Comment #4)
Saw a letter confirming this, he is off to Northwood.
@Wyvern (Comment #8)
Anywhere around, support often goes hand-in-hand with a level of confidence. Until OB’s are satisfied that their school is being run at an acceptable level or improving, they pretty much have concerns that their contributions won’t have the desired effect or they harbour worse concerns.
@beet (Comment #7)
This is incredibly sad to hear. I struggle to see how Dale Junior (and possibly also the College in the future) can recover from this without old boy support. Any old Dalians with insight on what’s being done to rally the old boys???
The Dale Junior troubles seem to have hit on more hard times. A school letter dated 02 March 2024 has been circulated regarding the intimidation of potential SGB candidates.
@Ystervark (Comment #4)
That is huge and a big blow for DC however I don’t blame him, his kids deserve to be in a quality
environment too and sadly Dale doesn’t offer that.
@Grasshopper (Comment #3)
Last time I checked Dale College was a Sport Focus school with the Department Of Sport
promising the school funds for bursaries etc, I don’t know what happened to that. Parents at DJ see the school as means of free education and exposure for their sons to get bursaries at KZN schools, Dale is on its deathbed unfortunately
@RuggaFreak (Comment #2)
Heard whispers he is done at the end of the term and off to a school in KZN.
Sad times, a once great school and rugby factory, in ruins. The government should have seen this as the source of future Boks, especially POC Boks, and pumped money into the school. I fear it will fall apart altogether. Same with other Gov schools across the country where old boys are not engaged.
DALE JUNIOR
Wanneer ouers nie betrokke is by die skool nie gebeur sulke goed…Daai absent ouers wat jy NOOIT by die skool sien nie ,en dan bitch hulle die meeste ,veral as hulle bloedjie kak aanjaag en gestraf moet word.Dis gewoonlik ook hulle wat koerante toe hol as iets hulle nie pas nie….maar dan is hulle skoolgeld twee jaar agterstallig…..