THE RISE OF RUGBY AT PAREL VALLEI

Seeing that KAIWHANA Rugby is my blog and I can write, publish and

post freely about rugby and happenings worldwide, I believe it is my time to report about what I have been involved in and share with our 30 000

strong fan base worldwide!

I do this only because I am humbled by what I do, within the amazing confines of our beautiful campus at Parel Vallei High. I am proud to

share some of my experiences, and our accomplishments, many high’s and isolated lows of my journey to date with the Bulldogs… It hasn’t

been long since my last writing, but things are happening so fast at Parel Vallei Rugby that an update to our loyal parents and supporters is called for. In- between teaching and implementing a new infra-structure/blue- print for PV’s rugby programme, I hardly have had time for much else,

not to mention that the season has kicked off already with our first games behind us against DF Malan, Stellenbosch and Hermanus High

in traditional Winter Derbies.

Mixed results, but definite improvements across the board if last year’s scores and performances are used as a reference; a good sign that we

are heading in the right direction. This was underlined by the Headmaster of Hermanus at the post match function at Ledbury. He felt based on last year's scores that on the rugby field they lost ground. The

scores show 1 win and 5 losses. This could have been 4 wins and 2 losses: costly mistakes, lapses in concentration and missed

opportunities makes for a different tale on paper. All in all, I am happy. I believe we are slowly moving along in the right direction. Remember,

“Rome wasn’t built in a day”

On the top of my agenda has been and still is to establish a lasting

PV rugby culture and tradition. So a lot has to be done!

Here are some of the structures we started putting in place as a foundation:

We recently experienced a great open day - 600+ visiting grade 7s and parents who paid much attention to our rugby stand as we explained our

vision and mission for PV Rugby.

I believe such keen interest is due to an extensive marketing campaign I launched and titled #KeepOurPlayersInTheBasin on social media sites like Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. My aim being to quell the outflow of our home- grown talent to schools in adjacent towns, where too many

very good players end up stuck in C, D and E teams. #KeepOurPlayersInTheBasin is also taking steps toward the future growth of rugby at PV, taking into consideration that to move up a league and compete against A league schools we have to field 10

teams. With the increase in attention, enquiries and exposure the school and our rugby programme is receiving, we are, without a doubt, heading

in that direction.

Our biggest success to date I believe has been the formation of a fully functioning, strong, parents rugby committee, that were responsible for

our 2 memorable events to date: a rugby braai and soup and sherry evening. Here we had Quinton Immelman as guest speaker with close to 200 people in attendance. Major sponsorships towards the development

of rugby at Parel Vallei have been secured through such events.

These events were also aimed at establishing unity between parents, players and coaches. Our crowning achievement has been getting over 60 parents, 120 players and 15 coaches together, camping in Grabouw for a weekend at our inaugural “PV Rugby: Father and Son Motivational

and Teambuilding Weekend”. Here, other speakers like Cwengile Jadezweni, and 2007 Rugby World Cup Medal Winner, Clint Readhead (SARU Chief Medical Officer) shared their rugby experience! To end off

a spectacular event, Clinton van Rensburg (Sharks and Varsity Cup 2014 Winner) came and shared what went into winning the game

dubbed “The greatest rugby comeback of all time”. Rugger memories were shared by all! I hope that this will lay the foundation for a rich rugby

tradition in years to come at Parel Vallei.

Another addition to future tradition has been the inception of the Parel Vallei Rugby 1st XV Code of Honour:

The following responsibilities that goes with representing the Parel

Vallei Bulldogs…

I will play for the badge on my chest not the number on my back I shall always remember that the team comes before the individual

The school, our traditions and the culture of PV Life is what I stand for and uphold

That battles are won and lost, on and off the pitch The game of rugby, the principles it was founded upon like teamwork,

respect, camaraderie and discipline will always be respected United we stand, not only as team members but PV athletes, in unity

with sport as a whole in the school Last but not least, on game day I am willing to sacrifice who I am, for

who we want to become….

Last but not least, for any parent who would like to make a financial contribution in support of PV rugby’s goals and aspirations a separate

fund has been created:

Account: 7200/100 Reference: Rugby Committee

Bank details ABSA

2900141311 632005

Reference: 7200/100 + Name of Business/Parent

For businesses we have an Article 18A invoice for tax claims.

My advice to the coaches is to keep believing and to keep loving the game and what you do! The love will show in the results, in time. To our

parents, please support our vision and mission and let’s always remember the game is bigger than any one of us, player, parent or

coach!

Thinus Pienaar Head of Rugby

Tel: +2721 852 1228 rugby@pvallei.co.za