The Up and Under Ladies Rugby Academy is calling on girls aged 12 to 20 to take to the field with the launch of the 2023 women’s rugby season on Wednesday February 1.
Up and Under is a business focused on rugby development.
“Our goal is to develop rugby where it needs development. So our core focus at the moment is women’s and girls’ rugby, and that is why we started the Ladies Rugby Academy,” said Viaan Jonker, Up and Under director and head coach.
“The academy provides better opportunities for female players. It promotes participation and organises opportunities to allow them to have a pathway for a successful future in rugby,” Mr Jonker said.
The academy is affiliated to NTK Parow, and training takes place at the NTK Rugby Club in Parow North.
The academy was established in March 2021 and started with three players. It has received 35 applications for this year.
Mr Jonker said that although girls’ rugby was growing at a school level there was still work to be done.
“Women’s rugby is the biggest growing sport in South Africa at the moment. There is a lot more money being invested into it. It is also the second most important rugby code recognised by the South African Rugby Union.“
The academy wanted to create a pathway to a successful future for the girls once they finished school, said Mr Jonker.
It tried to get players to play professionally and join the national team or it trained them as coaches through the Up and Under internship programme.
Now that the Varsity Cup included female players, the opportunity to apply for a sports bursary to attend university was also available, Mr Jonker said.
“The talent which is the most important part is here in the Western Cape. We’ve got really good players. The girls are tough. We shouldn’t underestimate the willingness and the toughness of these girls. They can quite stand up in their own way.“
All the academy’s programmes were developed in accordance with the Western Province trials so that players had the best opportunity to get selected for the Western Province team, he said.
In the past two years, 17 Up and Under players had been selected to play for Western Province, he said.
No experience is required for those wanting to sign up with the academy. There is a monthly membership fee ranging from R300 to R450, but, according to Mr Jonker, provision can be made for players who can’t pay.
“We do open opportunities for underprivileged girls who cannot afford the academy. We get sponsorship, and that’s how we develop those girls that are talented but unfortunately cannot afford the programme.“
Players can contact viaan@upandunder.co.za to apply.
