15 Aug 2017

The coordinator of the Rugby Re Ba Bona Ha programme, Thusego Segaise says plans are underway to open a rugby centre in Jwaneng in an effort to develop the sport at the grassroots level.

He noted that they have two centres in Maun and Selebi-Phikwe, and that the third centre would enhance competition as the centres would compete against each other.

He revealed this in an interview during the Re Ba Bona Ha Rugby Fun Festival which attracted youngsters under 9-10 years from Selebi-Phikwe and Maun.

The Re Ba Bona programme is aimed at developing the talent of young athletes at a tender age and to identify talent for development at a higher level.

Segaise said since the inception of the programme in 2012, they had been in and out between Maun and Selebi-Phikwe.

He, however, complained that rugby was played much later in the country, noting that youngsters started playing the sport at junior secondary schools while the programme started at primary schools. He added that the programme  motivates children to have the love of rugby at a tender age.

He also argued that teaching youngsters rugby at a tender age would  ensure continuity in the sport, as they have realised that players started in the middle of no way.

He added that they were looking forward to having rugby as a sporting code in schools and to also have tournaments to help the sport grow as well as the players

Segaise noted that the rugby fun festival was in their annual calendar  of events, and that in the past it was held every two years.

He said the main objective of the programme was to unearth talent at a tender age, and to give children a foundation of rugby.

The festival, he said, brought together youngsters to showcase their skills and talent in a festive mood.

 “This festival is all about self-expression. We want them to have fun while at the same time emphasising on applying the right technique because at the end of the day we want it to add value to the player so that they could compete internationally,” he added.

Segaise said some of their achievements since the inception of the programme was to graduate quality players to join junior and senior secondary school teams, adding that the event was growing bigger and better every year.

He also noted that the programme was intended to develop players until  they reached 15 years. He said  after that they continued to work with their coaches. BOPA