The Free State Rugby Women’s Association (FSRWA) held successful rugby clinics for schools in the Mangaung Metro at the beginning of the month. The clinics, held at the Clive Solomon sports complex in Heidedal, Bloemfontein, were targeted at girls aged 13 and 14. Lebogang Lekalakala, the chairperson of FSWRA, said the organisation ison course to transform rugby in the province to produce players from all genders for the game. “Furthermore,” Lekalakala continued,“the main focus is on the development of the sport in this province,” she said.
Various schools from Thaba-Nchu and Botshabelo responded well with over 122 girls and their sports teachers attend8ng. Girls were bussed in from Emang primary School in Thaba-Nchu with Thari YaTshepe, Seroki, Rekopane and Ditholwana primary schools from Botshabelo attending as well. The girls were taken through various rigorous routines that included physical activity, teamwork and self-confidence empowerment workshops and leadership skills. “The clinics also provided a safe and supportive environment to learn the fundamentals of rugby for the kids,” Lekalakala said. Qualified coaches and referees facilitated the programme and engaged with the leanersin all the sessions.
“It is of out most important that our women rugby foundation is strong in the Free State as this will allow our athletes to grow within the sport from a young age and exposed to opportunities that will arise,like being chosen to be part of the national team and also to be part of the Springboks in the future. In Sesotho we say ‘eotlollwa esalemetsi’.”
Lekalakala extended her gratitude to the Free State Rugby Union and the Free State Sports Confederation for their support in making the day a success.
