For the first time in years, I made my way to Laerskool Tzaneen Primary to enjoy a day of “kaalvoet rugby” (barefoot rugby). I specifically went to watch the under-9 and under-13 (1st XV) matches. Laerskool Tzaneen Primary hosted the first-round playoffs for the Super 12 competition, welcoming rugby and netball teams from Laerskool Pietersburg and Laerskool Kollegepark (Vanderbijlpark). For clarity, the Super 12 Primary Schools competition allows the top primary schools in Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West, and the Vaal region – the Noordvaal – (once known as the old Transvaal) to compete in various sports—rugby, netball, hockey, swimming, cricket, and more—and in cultural activities such as choirs, orators, “bybelvasvra” (Bible quizzes), and others.
It was a well-organized day on the picturesque and immaculately maintained grounds of “Larries.” And here, we meet the first group of unsung heroes: the ground staff, cleaning staff, and management team responsible for infrastructure. Well done and thank you; your efforts do not go unnoticed and are greatly appreciated.
The cafeteria and food stalls, the school hall for the formal welcome function, and the dedicated areas for umpires and referees, entrance control, and scoreboards were all on point as usual. Our second group of unsung heroes: the parents, teachers, Grade 7 learners, school leaders (or “prefekte,” as I would call them in my day), administrative staff (the “kantoor tannies”), and the announcers and scorers. The sum of these parts is always greater than the whole synergy in action. Thank you; it truly takes a village.
Of course, we cannot forget our third group of unsung heroes: the umpires and referees. Sometimes a breed on the brink of extinction, I, too, carried a whistle between the four white lines many moons ago. It’s one of the most rewarding yet often the most thankless jobs. Your efforts are appreciated!
This brings me to the final group of unsung heroes—the reason I am writing this piece in the first place. It was actually triggered by a Facebook post from one of my favourite bloggers, Theodore Garrun. Our fourth group of unsung heroes: the coaches!
Watching the under-9 match, I was blown away by the structure of the game. The boys focused on the basics; the forwards worked together “under one blanket,” providing the backline with quality front-foot ball, enabling them to move the ball through the hands. No forward ever ventured into the backline, and the ball was never kicked aimlessly. The fundamental skills are clearly instilled at this level.
The under-13 (1st XV) match was equally refreshing, running rugby at its best! There was more interplay between the forwards and backs, but each well-coached player knew exactly what to do when called upon at any given moment.
These coaches are all teachers, giving their all inside the classroom (for their “half-day job”) and then dedicating full afternoons, weekends and school holidays to the sports fields. Keep in mind that many coaches manage multiple teams, all without receiving exorbitant remuneration packages. Thank you, coaches! The value you bring to shaping future great players and, more importantly, well-rounded adults, is grossly underappreciated.
In closing, I would advise our esteemed members of parliament to perhaps take a break from their “very busy schedules” and attend a sports day at a primary school in their area. There’s no need to travel far with your blue-light brigade. Experience what I did—a community of different cultures, races, religions, and backgrounds, all enjoying healthy competition and sportsmanship without wanting to “kill or deport one another.”
As a Christian I again realised that our calling here on earth is to love, respect and support one another and to contribute to the expansion of God’s kingdom not only by what we say, but also by what we do!
@Kaya 85 (Comment #11)
Exactly. I gained a lot of respect and like you thought they must be a different kind of human, if at all.😃
Nice memories though!
@Djou (Comment #7)
None of our feet were exactly soft, but when we played on brambles and duwweltjies on bleak midwinter velde, yikes I thought those opponents must be some breed of tough…
Nice one ou Blokkies…
Amazing people building the game and opportunities…
Brings back memories of my barefoot days…
Ou Bloktrui, met verwysing na die laaste sin van jou laaste paragraaf, ek onthou ‘n atletiek byeenkoms by Laerskool Tzaneen daar in die begin jare van multikulturisme (is daar so ‘n so ‘n woord?!).
Barnie Bekker, toe onderhoof, was die dag die aankondiger, maar het die man gesukkel met die name en vanne van die Sepedi en Xitsonga kinders! So gebeur dit dat ‘n meisie met die naam Megan Sullivan ‘n item wen, en ou Barnie doen die aanondiging:
“In die 1ste plek Me-gaa-nie Sullievaanie”!
Nice artikel, BTW.
Ek het die naweek Jbay teen Knysna gekyk. Van /6 tot /13 games op die rugbyveld en netbalbane. Dit was awesome.
Jbay gebruik buite afrigters. Die /9 coach coach saam met sy pa. Wat ‘n absolute voorreg.
@BoishaaiPa (Comment #3)
Nice storie.
Bitter min mense sal ‘n plaasskool met die naam Kleinbroek iewers in die Vrystaat ken. Papierdorings en duwweltjies het hulle geensins gepla nie en hulle het met dorings en al aanhou hardloop. Na die game het ons mekaar gehelp om die dorings uit te trek. Die “tannies” was baie gaaf en het reggestaan met kopspelde om te help met die uitgrou van die dorings.
@Smallies (Comment #5)
Ek sal nooit my laerskool rugby vergeet nie. Dis waar alles begin. Die fondament, dis baie belangrik. Die Bulle se bulletjie rugby program is masive. Dankie vir n top post.
@BoishaaiPa ek het dit baie geniet toe my seun laerskool rugby gejol het ,op hoerskool raak dit n baie ernstiger besigheid
LOVE THIS ARTICLE
@Smallies (Comment #2)
Mens het nog nie kaalvoet rugby gespeel as jy nie o/11 in die middel van die winter op Klipplaat se veld gespeel het nie. Enigste stukkie groen was die duwweltjie bossies.
Janee ek stem saam ,daai mannejies jol lekker ,en die jong mammas is ook nogals sag op die oog🤣🤣🤣🤣
KAALVOET RUGBY