Major boost for Hubs programme
The Hubs development programme was given a major boost, with considerable funds raised at a glittering function held at the Southern Sun Cape Sun hotel on Tuesday evening.
The DHL Stormers players served as waiters for a memorable dinner and auction, which raised a substantial amount for the Hubs programme, which provides schools which do not have rugby as a sporting code with qualified coaches who are able to assist with physical education classes, life orientation and coaching rugby.
President of the Western Province Rugby Football Union, Mr Thelo Wakefield, addressed the guests and dignitaries, highlighting the importance of the Hubs programme to the development of rugby in the Western Cape.
DHL Stormers Head Coach Robbie Fleck and captain Siya Kolisi also shared some of their insights, with Kolisi outlining his path to professional rugby which holds similarities with many of the young children that participate in the Hubs programme.
Following dinner, the MC for the evening, Siv Ngesi, hosted an auction which saw the guests dig deep into their pockets to support the growth of rugby at grassroots level in the Western Cape.
The main aim of the programme, which targets learners in all age groups starting at under-9 level up to under-19 level, is to equip coaches with the knowledge to effectively function within the rugby community at school and club level while contributing to an active lifestyle for all the learners.
Coaches are included in training courses offered by the Union’s Coaching and Education Department and include training on Rugby Level 1 and Level 2, Boksmart Safety, First Aid Levels 1 and 2 as well as Sevens Rugby Coaching.
The programme also trains coaches to become referees by offering Rugby Officiating Level 1 and 2 courses, the Rugby Ready programme, Rugby Laws and the Get into Rugby programme.
The programme specifically also promotes the growth of women’s rugby by providing fixtures for female teams, as well as encouraging and empowering female coaches.
The Western Province Rugby Football Union introduced the Hubs Development Programme in 2014 with the following main objectives:
• Introduce and promote rugby at schools not playing rugby as a sporting code;
• Provide learners at school with a life skills and extra-mural activity during and after normal school hours;
• Provide educators with coaching skills and an opportunity to apply these skills;
• Using volunteer coaches based in the regions to assist with coaching;
• Teach basic life, rugby and sport skills to learners;
• Provide access to rugby and sport to learners;
• Allow learners an opportunity to play in tournaments and stadiums; and
• Create opportunity for learners to live an active lifestyle away from drugs and gangs.
The Hubs development programme is a groundbreaking educational and sporting initiative which has been very successful in a very short period of time.
In 2016 the programme reached 89 807 learners, with 4 485 learners participating in 3456 matches.
The programme reached 93 schools in the Cape Flats, including Nyanga, Gugulethu, Khayelitsha, Langa, Elsies River, Athlone, Mitchells Plain and Grassy Park.
There were 98 coaches appointed and trained who coached a combined 2680 hours per week in 2016.
The programme ties in with the rallying call ‘We Stand Together’ which seeks to unite all teams, players, supporters, sponsors and stakeholders in the Western Cape.
The success of the HUBS Development Programme is made possible by the valuable contributions made by our various partners, including Let’s Play which has assisted the programme since inception in 2014.
Anyone interested in supporting the Hubs development programme further can contact Faizel Felton at [email protected]
