|
Hi Everyone
It is that time of year again when we are going on holiday. Some of us will be fortunate to go on holiday and others will go to “Romania” - “Remain Here”. For those that are travelling we would like to wish you safe journeys. We would love for you to read this newsletter next year again. Those going to “ROMAINA” we wish you well. A merry Christmas and a happy and successful new year!.
It is with great pleasure that I would like to report on all the ups and downs of the past year. Although we have ended the season on a high, one must be realistic and say that it was not a bed of roses for Ennerdale RFC and the management.
We ended the season by defending 2 titles in the Under 19 and 1st team categories. Our 1st team narrowly lost in the semi finals to Khosa RC who gave us a whipping in both league encounters for the season. We ended it on a high against them and by their own admission they were worried that they might not make it to the finals. Ennerdale’s 1st Team lost the game by a narrow margin of 13-9. Khosa continued and won the finals, and we would like to congratulate them.
The Under19 team progressed all the way to the finals. Unfortunately, as last year these boys won the game by default because the opponents Alexandra Wolfs did not adhere to the rules and arrived one our after the scheduled kick-off. This year’s performance was not as clinical as in 2008. We clearly missed the presence of the captain for 2008 Romano Gallon who walked the straight and narrow with the players. This year we lacked the leadership within this team and it was evident from the start of the season. Nevertheless, it would be unfair if one does not mention that this team was loaded with talent, and some players that improved remarkably since the previous years. As mentioned with proper
leadership they would have annihilated the opposition and this did not happen. They scrapped through on some of the
games.
From a management point of view it has been an uphill battle, and I would like to make particular mention of the chairman Mr. Drift. I could unfortunately not be involved with the team as the previous years, but he has battled on making sure that the guys play week in and week out. He also made sure that the guys were taken home after practice sessions. This however has left a huge dent in our measly budget. Our greatest expense for the season has been for transport and this unfortunately left us with little resources for anything else.
Thanks to programs to develop the game by SARU we have managed to have a few clinics on Saturdays. This will go a long way to ensure continuity and the sustainability of the club. Without their assistance this club should close down. We also want to give a special thanks to the Gauteng Department of Sports Arts & Culture for their assistance to the clubs to build capacity by providing support to train coaches. Ennerdale RFC and various other Ingonyama clubs sent delegates to do the IRB Level1 coaching. This ensures that we have accredited coaches to develop the game. We also want to give a special thanks to the FURY MOTOR GROUP since
they have committed to support the club and the GLRU in their development program. Ennerdale RFC salute Ken Cosgrove, Bernard Blom and especially Loraine Ely and every member of FMG for their
support.
We have also made several attempts to engage with schools in the area for support with development and more especially to ensure we have continuity by engaging the young players in primary and high schools. Sadly we have had very unenthusiastic response in this area. This will only happen the day schools realise that they need to play a role in developing our youth because champions are made at six and not at sixty. This however is a topic for another day and I will be mentioning this until the day I close my eyes. Any person that has a leadership position is there by divine appointment and hence if you are in teaching or you are a principal it is a calling and not a job. If you entered into
this profession merely as a means of employment then, you should reconsider. You should do just that, teach… not
educate.
Finally, we at Ennerdale Rugby Football Club are conscious of the fact that the FIFA World Cup will be played in this country. It is immanent and we would be naïve to think that people would think about us. We will most probably be put on the back burner in everybody’s minds. Life goes on and not everyone loves soccer, and the very same applies to rugby. We have had opportunities to volunteer for the 2010 world cup on this site. If you have not then you missed an opportunity to work on the second largest event in the world.
I and many love this country and in the back of our minds we want “Bafana. Bafana” and every other African participating country to do well. Our prayers will be with the African contingent.
I will include something about this in future newsletters as our support for the country. Maybe their performances will inspire some young child in some village to aspire to greater things. That in itself is reason enough for me to support the national team to perform well in the world cup.
“Viva Bafana, Bafana” May the ALMIGHTY GOD give them strength, wisdom and the passion to win this world cup. May every member in the team have the same dream “TO WIN THE WORLD CUP”, because I say this with conviction?
“A man with a dream cannot be denied” and “To live without hope is as good as being dead”
“Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen”
Watch this space in weeks to come leading up to the “WORLD CUP 2010” It is my belief that if we are going to make a success then we need to speak with one voice as a nation. To give you an idea I would suggest that you go and read the following: JOSHUA chapter 6.
GOD Bless You
Quote of the day:
“Success is one step beyond the point of giving up.” – Me Ranleigh C. G. Delport | 
