By: Zethu Gweva
Ncera Leopards Secretary Simthembile Vayeke wants rural rugby to be developed, sponsored and have their rugby fields renewed.
According to the President of the Sub-Union Simthembile Nkula, Ncera Leopards is a rugby team which was established in 1990 by a group of farmers and mine workers from Qhukru. He added that one of the challenges that the team faces is not having a home ground to play their games.
“The team does not have field to practice, home ground to play games and funding. But we do receive funds from parents who use money out of their own pockets,” said Nkula.
In-addition Nkula expressed that National Lottery Commission is the only sponsor which once assisted them with the amount of R115 000 to buy the teams sports gear.
“We wanted to fix the field but we decided to buy the teams kit so that we can look professional when playing against other terms,” he said.
Due to lack of funding, motivation and unemployment, Vayeke explained that government needs to go to rural areas and scout for local talent and give rural rugby players stipends to motivate the players to not give up on rugby as there is no income.
“Some of our best players don’t attend gym regularly as they have to work for income because they don’t get paid to play rugby,”̈ said Vayeke.
Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture Spokesperson Andile Nduna said in terms of sponsoring rugby teams, applicants must draft a proposal to request sponsorship from the department.
Nduna advised applicants to email their proposals to andile.nduna@ecsrac.gov.za.