I wanted to write this blog to add some counter balance to some of the comments that had been made about the Glenwood coach here and elsewhere over the years. This is by no means an attempt to change course on many of the issues that have impacted on KZN schools in recent times which I for one feel very strongly about but it is an effort to shed more light on the massive contribution that Sean Erasmus has made and continues to make as a rugby coach at various levels.
Over the years I’ve had a number of interacts with Sean. One of the things I’ve always liked about him is that he’s friendly, making him approachable and he’s willing to share rugby knowledge of which he has a lot. The interaction I most enjoyed was a time we met up on the sideline at an under-20 club game alongside Kings Park stadium one evening. The lighting was poor but it didn’t curb Sean’s enthusiasm or in any way hinder his attention to detail. His ability to pick up on things in a game that the untrained eye of a spectator like myself completely overlooks as well as isolate strengths and weaknesses in players’ abilities, a few of whom he was watching for the very first time that evening was remarkable. It was far from his intention that evening but for me it was like getting a free rugby lesson from a pro. The impression it left me with was this is a guy who was born to coach rugby. It’s a gift given to him that most do not have and thank goodness he is using it because many young rugby players are benefiting as a result.
Sean had spent 4 full-time years taking classes at Glenwood before a restructuring presented him with an opportunity to pursuit rugby coaching as a main occupation at Glenwood. He can’t rightfully be credited with being the starting point of Glenwood’s success but he has definitely played an instrumental role in the rise to prominence of the Green Machine as a rugby school. There is a great article here written by the blogger Grasshopper: http://www.sharksworld.co.za/2011/11/18/the-green-machine%E2%80%99s-rapid-rise-to-rugby-power-since-2000/ .Although SE still dedicates most of his time to the school’s rugby needs, with the consent of Glenwood, he is freed up to coach at the Sharks Academy. Here he like Brad MacLoed-Henderson, like Nico Breedt, like Ryan Strudwick along the way is nothing more than a part-time consultant. He basically does what is called position-specific coaching under the direction of full-time Sharks employees and gets remunerated for these services provide. A similar arrangement exists with the Sharks for junior under-19/21 and Vodacom Cup rugby. He is not in charge nor the decision-maker, just a technical expert on board with delegated coaching responsibilities handed to him by those who run the show. What I have noticed is that his services are in demand. He obviously does a good job and the Sharks keep renewing his contracts. My personal feeling is that if the Sharks can’t tap into these coaching resources and work to make them better, rugby in this province would be a lot worse off.
In terms of Craven Week, the selectors and executive committee has been published on this website: http://schoolboyrugby.co.za/blog/?p=3869 It points to the fact that Sean is not a selector nor is he the head coach. He has opinions that he willingly shares but in terms of the structure, in their capacities as selectors they are not at liberty to act in accordance with his views. What may not be clear is how the relationship with his assistance coach at Glenwood, Rudi Dames plays out because Rudi is a selector. Rudi is however 1 of 8 selectors. As the Craven Week assistant coach, Sean assumes the role of backline coach. Without saying too much more about the successes or failures of the Craven Week teams over the years, what has been interesting for me at least is hearing the views of the Sharks (the old regime) on the matter of school rugby in KZN which in many ways puts into perspective a few of the perceptions I have of the direction I believe they (the old regime) would like to see school rugby moving in and whether this is of any benefit to schools or even the overall health of rugby in the long run.
Although it’s come up as a criticism of Sean, I really wanted to steer clear of the issue of religion because it is so personal. I know that Sean is a devoted Christian and part of his faith requires him to spread the Word of God. So I will just leave it at the point where he’s told me before that he would not exclude a player from his Glenwood team who did not share his faith.
Finally I wanted to touch on the Old Boy matter. As far as I can recall Sean is from Escort. He’s not a GOB. I can’t say how a GOB should conduct himself. I also don’t know that there is enough evidence out there to suggest that an old boy makes a better coach than someone who is simply a good coach. In terms of passion for his job, love for Glenwood and desire to see the school be all it can be, I may be speaking out of turn, I struggle to imagine that there can be too many old boys out there that can rival Sean’s dedication.
There have been a lot of negatives written about the Glenwood coach. The Glenwood schoolboys are happy, spirits are high, there is a wonderful vibe at school and on average the rugby results have been far better than in the 1990’s or before. Here’s a chance for some of you to weigh in with something positive and even up the scales a bit.
I would say not Dudas yet, doesn’t have the experience, I would put Simpson and (he was 2nd team coach in 2011) , they have the right mix ,
As I said its egos and SE has bundles of it , far too much , power corrupts and more power corrupts even more , this would be my assessment , last two years have been and done GW no good
Just to add, thanks to SE for all your effort and bringing Glenwood back to where they should be but time to hand over the baton, race well run….
Whilst initially I liked SE as coach, the past two seasons have been too full of bad press, recruitment etc. I don’t know SE as a person so this is not an attack on him personally, I just feel it’s time for change. I just feel uneasy about him in charge now, once trust is lost it’s hard to regain. Give Attila Dudas, an old boy and Glenwood resident a chance. If he has a bad season so be it but for the good of Glenwood’s reputation please change things, even put in Hortop with Dudas as a mentor. Sibson or La Marque could be assistants, both Old Boys. If they had the money convince John Allan to coach the forwards…..keep it green and see how that goes…
@Green Hopper:
Interesting. I recently heard that SE and Barend Steyn couldn’t agree on anything at Craven Week especiallly when it came to backline and forward moves. This resulted in both coaches doing their own thing and resulting In a lack of cohesion from the team.
Once again a case of egos and attitudes at play.
@Green Hopper: agree, time for a change. Give young Dudas a go at first team. No recruitment! That will send a good message to the under14, 15, 16a boys, if you train and play hard you will play 1st team later on….
Well, I have in the past had my say about SE , some good and some bad, I do think he is ahead of the curve , or was until recently at school boy level, I see even with the results he has , he has been over looked for higher honours with other school coached going up , I wonder why this is ,
Winning is one thing , and winning at all costs but the shopping for players is IMHO, going to weaken GW, and this has happened over the last two years. Must of the success of 2008, 2009, 2010 has to do with the boys that where at school, from 2006, when there were other influences
As one person recently told me from NZ , about the removal of Robbie Deans, “yes he was the head coach at Crusaders, but it was the players that where the team and not the Coach” this might explain, apart from other reasons why he just never got the success in the last two years with the Wallabies.
We have said this about the previous Springbok coach, that his initial wins where from a team that had residual coaching from Jake White, and as soon as he had to coach he wasn’t as successful, However when we look at JW , we see how he moved on to the Brumbies and has made a team out of no bodies,
The same is happening with SE , it’s a question of buying in players to supplement areas of coaching gone wrong ,
Having met and spoken to the man on numerous occasions, I have formulated the opinion that its either his Afrikaans background that comes across brash and aloof, or he is simply arrogant , whether he is a good coach , to the GW team or a good selector , as mentioned he seems to spot good players, hence why he buys them in, it’s a question of the greater picture in my view of eth school as a whole, we have had threats of schools withdrawing and schools not playing us, and why , this never happened up till 2011 , questions need to be raised and we need to read into the bigger picture
@Rhino: Huh? I was not aggressive…..I just said knowing the coaches personally helps…..but hey ho…..
@Grassyhopper
Easy tiger dont generalise and its true you were also on the soggy shores for many years and all commenting away…
Been off this for a while and smiled when i saw the jibes still going – man cant wait for next season again….
@wbhs griffon – lol. .. btw the reunion 2 weeks ago here in london was good and all had a good catch up and beers/snakebites/shots etc.. sore head on sunday eish !
@Grasshopper: Very gracious, but when I put a team together, I pick the players that want to win at all costs first, and if there aren’t any, I look for the players that hate losing most. Attitude gets you everywhere, and maybe being gracious is the shortcoming of English schools vs Afrikaans schools.
@Tjoppa: we never moan and groan if beaten fairly by a better side, it’s called gracious in victory and defeat…
@Westers: @WBHS Griffon: Let them speak for after this weekend they will be quiet for 23min56sec and then start to moan and groan untill next year.
@WBHS Griffon: maybe actually knowing a few of the schools coaches personally as friends counts for something, who knows. Also coaching at school level might help….
@Grasshopper: Right here! And what made you such an authority on KZN schools rugby whilst making comments from London for all those years, huh, relying on second hand information from other people of course! Now you claim to be in Cape Town yet still think you are “the” authority on KZN Schools sport.
Careful of being the pot calling the kettle black!
@Grasshopper: Don’t know. Giving you guys a chance to breathe for a few days though.
For the record, I don’t like the manner in which he writes a lot of his posts and don’t agree with some of his issues. But I have to give him 100% for his loyalty.
@Westers: where is your good Glenwood hating WBHS Griffon mate? He just loves to put us down, maybe waiting for the royal baby to arrive. He sounds like a WOB in London, not too clued up on happenings here…
@star: Sorry, not injured. Has been ill.
@star: They seem to have Warner slotted at No 8 at the moment. Someone else who I think they should look at for 8 is Heystek. Also has the attributes to play in that position. I believe he is injured at the moment so didn’t play yesterday.
@Griffon: I don’t think Meilhon is underrated. I think the problem lies with the boy himself. I don’t think he knows his potential and just doesn’t seem to be committed. Has had a tendency in the past to get involved in too much off the ball stuff and gets carded too often.
As for playing Jackson out of position, the coaches seem to have a penchant for converting scrum halves into fly halves. Braithwaite was this years scrummy and was playing really good rugby by the end of the season. Anyones guess at this stage as to who they will settle on at half backs.
@ Griffon- Nathan has always been an X-factor player. I hope he does what is needed and makes a big contribution next year. The question is where will he play. No 8 should be covered by Erasmus at this stage.
@ Star : I managed to watch both games and thought the Stayers 2 game was more entertaing, but a little less structured than the Stayers 1 game. Stayers 2 had quite a few u16’s playing. Shange and his centres played well IMO, Meilhon played well in the 15 or so minutes he played with quite a good try. Meilon is quite the player, who some have underreated. Big, really strong and hard to stop once he gets going. Fitness was lacking a bit, but pre season should get him fit. The fight for loose forwards will be quite interesting next year. Stayers 1 game was good. Forwards were playing well at times. Backs were ok. I thought 10 and 12 linked well. G.Jackson playing out of position at 10 had some good moments. Although a better scrummie. Anderson showed his experience putting in a solid performance. good games overall, noting that the boys only had 2 practices together
@star: I didn’t see the whole game and there had been quite a few changes by the time I got there, so no one really stood out. I saw each side score a converted try in the second half. Westville had more chances but you could see they had never played together before. There is a third Fisher brother who I saw playing on the left wing yesterday. Not sure if he will make 1sts next year. He played mainly 3rds and 4ths this year. There were also a few boys unavailable due to injury or football commitments including 4 who played 1sts this year.
It seemed to be very experimental as there were a few boys playing who seem to have come from no where (4ths and 5ths – not new to the school).
The touring team was from Coventry.
@GreenBlooded: like that idea and playing a weaker UK touring side is perfect as a type of trials game…obviously 6 months at this level is a long time and certain players could grow or get bigger and fitter in this time…..good indicator though….
@ GB- it was played yesterday. It is nice to see a real cross section of talent. Your 2 favourites Anderson and Thomas looked quite sharp.
@star: When was this played? Sounds interesting to have a ‘stayers’ match at the end of the season – nice idea.
@ Westers – did you manage to watch the Westville stayers against that Bristol side. And if so who stood out for you. I noticed the Fisher brothers there so I wonder if there is another coming through the system.
@GreenBlooded: I did miss you. But I missed the Saturday afternoon SBR even more over the last few weeks. With Westville UNFORTUNATELY finished for the season I am going to have to make a choice this week, College or Glenwood. Grogper cup has the upper hand at the moment.
Been out of touch for 11 days – hope y’all haven’t missed me too much.
Nice article this – provides some much needed balance on the topic and hopefully also puts some of the wild conspiracy theories that some of the h8rs dream up to rest.
@GREENMOM: Not sure you were watching the same games as I was or maybe we look for something totally different. I saw the boys having FUN on the field – I seem to think that’s the reason we got our boys involved in rugby – and both teams had fun!!! The development teams were far more organised this year and played a better type of rugby too.
I was fortunate enough to chat to one of the main guys for KZN development and asked how the teams feel about this fixture. His reply was that it is awesome for these teams to get an opportunity to play Glenwood (and other traditional teams) as this helps them to play better rugby and to see what the coaches are trying to teach. Most coaches expected GW to play the full time rather than stop at 50 points as it was more about the skills learnt than the scoreboard … again a very good reason to play rugby.
@Tjoppa: Wish there was “Like” or “thumbs up” button for this comment.
@Ruggersake: The love to work and develop all children treating them with respect and dignity.
@WBHS Griffon: LOL! No and we all know why…..hopefully the games next year will include WV which is always a massive game and challenge! GC are worthy opponents at any given time.
@GREENMOM: Hope you not going to start thinking playing George Campbell is becoming a waste of time!
@Playa: not at all, just stating the facts.
@Gungets Tuft: Affies is Durban thank goodness!
@GREENMOM: Possibly lose against Affies because of this game. Affies are a pretty good side, they might have put up some resistance even if you had not played the Dev side …
Is the Affies game in Durban or Pretoria?
@GREENMOM: Couldn’t agree more. Fortunately Westville did not have a fixture against the Development teams this year. Last year was a similar farce. Nobody learns anything from these fixtures. There are plenty of Tier 2 schools that can play these fixtures.
Roll on next year where hopefully Glenwood vs Westville is back on track and 26 odd teams get to play each other in competitive fixtures.
Today against KZN development was a disaster for GW! Why play against a team when all your scores are plus 50?its a waste of time! The boys will b better of in the gym or at home! GW will suffer and possibly loose next week against Affies as a direct result of playing this type of circus circus game! Stop this circus! If needed as an eye blind to development, the 5th team can play the main game with the 1st to 4th team resting. its laughable to watch and an insult to the GW boys.
To all the esteemed and knowledable bloggers to this subject, what in your opinions qualifies someone to coach, assuming all the theoretical qualifications have been attained?
Maar se gou jou rede oor die Blou Tornado… Wat ek natuulik gladnie aan klou kan kry nie!!
Waterkloof en niks minder doen dit vir my!!!
ag toe Tjoppa!! jy weet tog Affies het die Wit Bul seremonie net aangeneem, min wetende die sooi wat wat jaaaare terug gespit is met die naam deur Monnas!!
@Klofie Pa: Wil jy weet hoekom hulle julle nie meer die blou tornados noem nie. dieselfde vir Bulle. daar is net een Wit Bul in die land. AHS.
Die REGTE Wit Bulle begin more hul aanslag op die Beeld!!
Sterkte vir julle en natuulik EG en HTS!!
Wollie ???!
@Woltrui: Vra dan liefs jou Affie trui terug, daai gehawende blou ding wat jy steeds dra is meer ‘n jurk van skaamte na die CW.
@Tjoppa: @Koos Roos: Geskiedenis van Woltrui. Die Affie witbulle het met woltruie gespeel lank nadat mode geword het om met die moderne “laat my sterk lyk” hempies te speel. Volgens ene Speartackle/Mr Caleone karakter n aanduiding van Dr Edwards se konserwatisme(natuurlik-soos ons Speartackle ken- heeltemal diskoers). Maw Mnre. Respek vir die Woltrui. Die Kaapse girltjies droom in ieder geval slegs van die Bulle hier in die noorde. Shame hulle is seker maar gefrustreerd met die klein outjies daar innie Kaap
@Koos Roos: Wil die ou nou nie afskiet nie maar slegs ‘n desperate een sal aan daai hol wil bry.
@WBHS – try GCB or AHS
@grasshopper – you seem to be a knowledgeable man on rugby and coaching, what do you understand around the term “crisis corridor” in rugby?
@WBHS Griffon: That is a bit childish, wouldn’t you say?
@Greenwood: You guys do have nice facilities, but, it’s a pity they didn’t get to see the facilities at Westville, now that’s something to behold for a government school!
@Tjoppa: Seker waar Woljol se naam vandaan kom. Sy Bolandse vroutjie het hom gebry.
@Djou: @Ploegskaar: Luister julle outjies nie. Djou is NIE Garsies se woordvoerder NIE. Ek steun en is lief vir die WP. Kersvader is n wonderlike ou
@Grasshopper
@Greenwood
I am in 100% agreement with Valke and Glenwood need not to be ashamed of anything. In fact, Glenwood should be proud of their accomplishments – as I know you are.
Remember, with professionalism the school rugby landscape changed completely. The biggest change that occurred is away from so called traditional rugby schools to rugby schools of strength. So, to remain relevant, in other words, be or become a school of strength, recruitment need to happen. The boys on the other hand also know for them to further their rugby careers, they need to be in a school of strength. They might initially choose a high school, but might move later on to a rugby school of strength. Some boys with lots of talent in smaller schools will, due to the SBR structures and more specifically the rugby weeks, not be recognised. They actually don’t have a choice. It is in their interest to be recruited. Some schools recognised this and they are in process of becoming, or already are rugby schools of strength. They however receive a lot of flak from mostly the so called traditional rugby schools (who think they have sole right to recruitment) as these new strong schools are becoming threats to them. It is good for SA rugby as more strong schools produce better players. It also is nothing different from e.g. an economy wanting to stay relevant. International economic developments forced the SA economy to become more diversified and services driven compared to being mining driven 20 years ago. But …
@Ploegskaar: Kon onthou so mooi rooikoppie met so ‘n lekker bry in haar praat. Magtig die jare vlieg. Ek se altyd die Skotte se praat en die Bolandse bry seker die twee mooiste aksente in die wereld.
@Tjoppa: ‘n Trillende tong was nog altyd ‘n bate.
@Ploegskaar: Nee wat gaan ‘n paar ou pelle van Varsity se tyd raakloop. Hul bryery het nog altyd net die mooiste meisies beteken. Na my derde kwartaal saam die bere kon ek net so goed bry as hulle. Alhoewel ek sag op die oog was het die aksent my meer begeerlik by die meisies gemaak.
@Tjoppa: Nee wat, behoort reg te wees, solank jy nie soos ‘n doos met ‘n canopy op daar aangepekel kom nie. Vat ook maar liefs voor die tyd ‘n dop sodat jy kan verstaan wat die Swartland en Weskus boere sê.
@Ploegskaar: Maar as ek met bakkie met tralies daar aankom gaan julle manne nie dink ek is ‘n scout vir die Ander Klomp nie. Jy weet dalk sien hulle my Hilux aan as ‘n klein beestrokkie. Wil nou nie loop vyande maak voor ek ‘n paar doppe gevat het nie.
@Tjoppa: Jy kan miskien nog met ‘n gekoopte Cavalla Plain wegkom, maar pruim, snuif, handgerolde twakkie (as die game tight is spoeg, snuif en trek die manne alles tegelyk) en pyp bly maar beter opsies, anders kan mense dink jy is verfynd. Los ook liefs die sambreel in die kar, verkieslik ‘n bakkie met skaaptralies, net die mense van Bishops dra sambrele rond.
@Ploegskaar: Ja sal maar my pt broekie en t hemp aantrek met gumboots en sambreel. Mag ons nog ‘n twakkie trek daar by julle op die plaas hier in Gauteng word jy mos skuins aangegluur as jy die ou Neef wil stop.
Valke -Thanks for the positive comments about my old school – I think that all the Glenwood bloggers will appreciate this too – we have got so used to negativity about GWD
and I must add that many visitors to the school have positively commented on the “feel” of the school and the Campus – Glenwood is a big school but compact and on talking some youngsters from a touring UK rugby School at GWD last year they commented that they could not believe that a Govt School had so many facilities that not even private schools in the UK have
@valke: The main reason schools should not do this is because they are amateur, they should not be treating kids like professionals. Also, they are not showing loyalty to boys who have been there since grade 8 by bringing in new players so late on. It create animosity amongst the boys, parents and Old Boys. It needs to stop unless they decide school rugby is now professional, which would be a shame…
Geniet nogal om die stories te lees. Die arme Glenwood moet nou al weer pak kry, en so onnodig.
Ons was daar vir die Akademie week, en het dit baie geniet. ‘n Paar van ons seuns ( graad 11 ) het genoem dat hulle met graagte daar sou wou skool gaan. As hulle nou sou skuif, is dit dan ook Glenwood se skuld ?
Ek weet van 2 seuns in Pretoria skole ( graad 11) wat ook graag Glenwood toe wil gaan volgende jaar. Uit eie wil. Gaan die skool dan ook verkwalik word as dit gebeur ?
Meeste skole werf seuns in graad 10/11. leef maar daarmee saam.
Dit verbaas my elke jaar om te sien hoe die Valke Grant Khomo spelers na die Julie vakansie in ander skole, in ander provinsies is. Daar word groot gewerf by daai toernooi !
Is dit reg ? Hoekom nie. Op senior vlak word die voorbeeld gestel.
Pieter Steph du Toit word deur die Sharks ontwikkel, nou soek almal hom. Cheetahs / Griekwas doen dieselfde met Willie le Roux, nou soek almal hom. Die lys is lank.
Hoekom kan die skole dit nie ook doen nie ?
Kempton speel Atlantic 7’s, EG Jansen nie. Wat maak ‘n seun in EG wat dink hy kan goeie 7’s speel ?
@Ploeg: Jy is so reg. Maar jy het seker al agtergekom dat heelwat mites en gerugte reeds in die slag gebly het. En sekere mense dink ek het verbintenisse met sekere skole omdat ek vrae vra juis oor gerugte wat oor die skole versprei word – en inligting het dat hul gerugte onwaar is. Ek weet regtig nie waarom mense die dinge doen nie, maar laat hulle maar in die duister oor my verbintenisse, want ek het dit reeds openbaar in verskeie vorige skrywes. EK het geen probleem om nie anoniem te wees nie, maar dit haal die vermaak en misterie uit die omgewing.
@Tjoppa: Hoop jy het ‘n safaripak, jy kannie met daai groot uithang t-hemp op die Plaas kom rugby kyk nie, hulle sal dink jy is een van die Plaas se diesel mechs wat die Massey’s diens.
@Tjoppa: About as much as journalism as a hobby. If your mouse doesn’t have a scroll wheel then I suggest the scroll bar on the right. Use it, scroll down, move on.
Not scared, just no point. My old school winning on Saturday, or being 1 or 5 in SA, doesn’t give me a bigger knob, or whatever it is you want to measure, so go your gums, make your point whatever it is. I am sure everyone who reads it will be as impressed as all hell.
@Gungets Tuft: Understand what you mean. Just wonder how the kids with rugby contracts and no idea of personal finance manage their finances after school.
A nice story on this score. The Bulls recruited a young 18 year old a decade or so ago. Got him a nice flat close to Loftus etc. After about 3-4 months, the team manager asked him how he was coping. Reluctantly he admitted that nothing in the flat was working. So the manager went with him to the flat, and yes, no lights, no fridge or oven in working operation, not even the TV and phone. So he asked the guy a simple question. Did you pay the electricity and phone bills? With much surprise the “boy” replied he did not know about these things! Simple stuff, but part of a basic personal skills set missing.
@Djou: In this anonymous environment you will do well to get the facts, some guys trade in vagaries and fancy footwork here, half a truth is still half a lie in my book.
Beet, as a matter of interest, did you come up with this topic entirely on your own, or was there any communication from the coach himself, the school, the union that brought this artical about?
@Tjoppa:
Nee, joernalistiek was my stokperdjie. Moes egter bietjie briek trap daarmee want dit het te veel tyd in beslag begin neem.
@Ploeg: Not so, when you compare all the answers you know what to ask – and carry on till you get the real truth. In addition, a big advantage is that you have access to everyone and when you start asking difficult questions to the guys at the top after gaining all the relevant info, they eventually make pretty sure you get the truth. Nowadays’ jounos, however run fast food ventures. Not interested in the truth, only to print a large number of stories.
@Djou: The only way after journalism is politics. Please tell me it is the HNP revival you are working on.
@Gungets Tuft: What the fcku has this to do with SBR. I know that Saturday is not going to be good but for heavens sake if you are to siht scared to discuss Saturdays matches rather discuss a related topic like girls without bikinis. REALLY?
@Djou: Rather Maths Lit than no maths at all, for sure, but it irritates me when I see the same credit being sought for a distinction in Maths Lit as for Maths proper, or one of the sciences. Personally, I would like to see those benefits you mention being taught in Life Orientation as it is more appropriate there.
I know it’s not rugby, but I was, in a former life, before I discovered lifing equipment and the poetic beauty of dolly-wheels, a middle manager in a corporate (in the middle of the dogfight for boring supremacy!!). I was handing out increases to staff, all of them commerce and science graduates. The one guy was overjoyed, was going to trade his 1-year old car in for a new Subaru WRX. I asked him how much it was going to cost him, and his answer was “the same as now”, meaning the same repayment, just over 6 years. I knew he was married, did not own a house. Further questions basically revealed he did not understand compound interest, nor know the difference between interest rates on overdraft, revolting credit, credit card, car finance or home loan. I was staggered. I started my own Life Orientation classes with the mongrels, showing where their mistakes were. Bumped into Mr Subaru recently, 7 years later. He still bought the WRX but is still driving it, has nearly paid off his first house, and is in business for himself. Result
@Beet I can appreciate that.,Fair play.
@Djou: As a journo you should then know that a specifically framed question usually results in a selectively structured answer, at best.
@Gungets Tuft; Maths lit is a big big bonus to the educational system, no matter what other say. Directly as a result of no maths lit knowledge we have an over-indebtedness rate of more than 33% in SA. Matks lit educate kids about investments, the cost of debt and planning their finances, issues not taught in other subjects.
Nevertheless, I found the article quite refreshing.
And as Tarpeys put it, no school can claim purity – despite attempts of some bloggers to defend their schools as such and create rumours about other schools. As a former journalist I can tell you it sometimes took eight to ten phone calls or conversations to obtain the truth which normally is hidden behind the views of one or two people. And I also found that most of time (not always) the truth revealed the most guilty parties as those making the biggest noise about other schools. I have so many stories I can tell, but rather keep the mouth shut as it will not do a lot of good. However, when I see a direct attempt by some bloggers to create false rumours, I unfortunately will pull the truth out of them with specifically framed questions.
He is a good coach and probably a good human being too, but, somehow the politics regarding selections need to be stamped out of the KZN Craven Week setup and unfortunately this usually starts with the coach. It is difficult to argue that there hasn’t been a massive bias towards Glenwood since he became involved. I think what we are looking for is a neutral without any particular affiliations to any school.
Although many of you will no doubt disagree with a lot of what Tarpey’s has to say, he makes a lot of very valid points.
This may not be a very popular post, but, unfortunately it’s time to take our heads out the sand and face the facts.
@CyndiAtRugby: Thanks Cyndi. I knew it was from a place beginning with an “E”
@Grasshopper: 2011 lock got 7 A’s, and has nailed his first year of varsity. Just saying …
Just remember that A’s in matric for ‘Kaans (for Marne), LO and Maths lit don’t count …. just in case ….
@Tarpeys: Mail me – gungetstuft(at)gmail.com with an associate name, I will bet it is the same as all the other approaches. One wonders if it is on the schools instructions, or just with their tacit approval, or a little personal empire building going on. It carries on and there is going to be a wee-wee-kaka-poo-poo fest on the go.
@Tarpeys: Spot on, that is why I want to start a petition with Old Boys too stop recruitment past grade 10…
@Grassy. Point made and well taken its true no school can claim purity but in expressing disapproval we can inspire change.
@Tarpeys: Well lets not even start with the whole Michaelhouse post matrics from Grey Bloem era then, it might open a can of worms. Also, the Hilton buying of Glenwood’s best Under16 lock last year, Westville’s best scrumhalf and Glenwood’s GK fullback. Anyway, I agree with you in parts, but to blame Glenwood for the Tom issue is wrong, he even got through the provincial and national checks. Michaelhouse do their own recruiting too so no school here is lilywhite. I would like Sean to move on to better things and allow a young coach a chance…FYI Marne Coetzee got 3 A’s in matric…our lock in 2011 got 6 A’s…
@Beet. I think SE is a good person the people that were coached by him at academy week and of CW have said so but …
(Tarpeys goes on to discuss some negative issues that have plagued Glenwood’s recent past. This blog wants to promote the right to talk about issues in a responsible and constructive manner while giving schools a measure of protection. As a result these comments have been moved offline but will be available to anyone upon email request. I feel this provides the best of both – regards Beet)
I dont know Sean personally, but based on a cross section of comments from boys who were part of KZN CW side 2013, he is a well respected, knowledgeable coach.
Yeah, the Marne Coetzee, Siyabonga Tom and Staples/DG episodes should have been huge lessons. Lessons should be learnt and not repeated. I hope no more kids are brought into the set-up past grade 10 going forward. Hopefully John Smit gets hands on with schoolboy rugby and ensures traditions and ethos are upheld. Luckily Pretoria Boys High where he attended has similar values to most of the KZN big rugby schools…
@Grasshopper: you make some good points grassy,Glenwood have made some questionable moves in the last 3 seasons, the final straw for me was the DG affair which Beet mentioned a few weeks back which almost saw College call off the Glenwood fixture. It is a real pity as you guys have made great strides in the last 10 years or so, so hopefully its nothing more than a few bad desicions and things can return to normal. I think pressure from old boys is one way of ensuring that the schools ethos and traditions are not comprmised by a select few. I think it definately helped in this regard that SE was a teacher at the school first before he became head of rugby,so hopefully he was just stuck in the middle of things…
Westers
No doubt that politics plays a huge role in what happens on the sidelines as far a coaches go
Lovely article and perspective. I enjoy seeing Sean interacting with the boys and love some of the ‘traditions’ that happen within the 1st team structure. I have huge respect for Sean and the way he gets to know the boys. He has an eye for their rugby skills and the right player attitude which is commendable in such competative high school environment.
If I remember correctly, Sean comes from the Escourt area.
@Grasshopper: Agree with your sentiments wholeheartedly. If he is that good, and his record at Glenwood shows he is good, then he should be destined to coach at a higher level. Why do the Sharks not give him a full time post? It would be interesting to know what his aspirations are. Surely with his talent he does not want to be a SBR coach all his life? If the Sharks don’t wnat him full time surely one of the other unions does.
It is also clear in most sports that a coach is never there for life. Times change, players change, management changes and coaches are changed to bring a new vibe. Plumtree is a good example. He did a really good job but I haven’t heard many people say they didn’t want to see a change – just the way it was done was a problem to most of us.
Well done Sean and I hope you get what you richly deserve.
Great article Beet! Sean is a brilliant coach and has done tons to improve Glenwood rugby, but everyone has weaknesses. Either Sean is piggy in the middle and been instructed from above or making these decisions himself but the last 3 seasons with recruitment of players in grade 11 has left a bad taste with many, this is not Glenwood ethos. It needs to stop and if it’s from above they need to stop. All is fair at grade 8 level but stop there. Also ensure there are no links to the union re recruited players. I think Sean has just got stuck in the middle somewhere. Anyway for me he should either coach Glenwood exclusively or move on to greater things and allow a new young coach, like he was, to come in and try fresh ideas. I see Sean as a Jake White of sorts destined for greater things if he stays impartial and dedicated. I would love to see what he could do as the head coach of the under21’s or under 19’s……well done Sean you deserve lots of praise for a job well done in a pressurized environment…