Ikeys touch Queens Park on the Green Mile

“There is an urgent lack of organised sport at our school, ” says Deon Behrens, the Chairman of the School Governing Body of Queen’ Park High School in Woodstock.

“None of the sports codes have any kind of organisation or regular opportunity to get involved, we have no sports field , no rugby coach, no teacher able to take rugby on, no rugby jerseys, shorts, socks but, ” he added “what we do have is a group of about 50 kids wanting to play.”

Rugby Social touch rugby organisers Nic Lassen, Maki Gubangxa and Andrzej Ogonowski rallied some of the regular touch players and put together a plan to spread the Ikeys Touch rugby passion for an outreach session.

 

Naturally the Queenspark youngsters jumped at the opportunity to spend an afternoon at the Green Mile, to get active for a training and match with the UCT Rugby Social students and a few of the Ikey Tigers.

“This is great, when can we do this again?” asked some of the Queenspark girls who had organised their own transport and visibly enjoyed the training session with the Ikeys.

 

Ikeys 1st team skipper Ntsolo Setlaba and some of his team mates took time off their exam preparations and pre-season training regime for the Varsity Cup 2013 to join in the afternoon and naturally the Ikey Tiger mascot was ruling his home turf  for the customary high fives and team huddles – ever ready to win over a few new fans for the Ikeys cause.

FNB UCT Rugby Club Captain Nic Rosslee invited all participants to one of the Ikeys Varsity Cup games in February and presented a set of Ikeys vests to the scholars as touch rugby kit. “There was some fantastic talent and love for the game on display out there and we will definitely make sure to get a few match balls to the guys and girls to support them in their efforts of getting together for regular touch rugby sessions.”

The UCT Rugby Social committee are looking to create further opportunities and are exploring getting another school on board to facilitate more regular participation for the Queenspark youngsters.

 

“We are always looking for opportunities for them to play, to keep them off the streets and active – the kids definitely have a desire to do so and this has been fantastic for them.” concluded Deon Behrens.

Thanks to everyone who made this afternoon possible on and off the field, including the team from the Ikeys Vibe rugby social who organised Pizzas and drinks for everyone who got stuck in to share some Ikeys love and passion for the game.