MPUMALANGA RUGBY UNION

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MPUMALANGA RUGBY UNION

• PROPOSAL FOR RUGBY DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT
• 2007 / 2008
• Author Arrie Myburg

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MPUMALANGA RUGBY UNION

• 1. GUIDELINES
• 1.1 SOUTH AFRICAN SITUATION
• The transformation process is an acceptable
  reality in the South African context. Mpumalanga
  Rugby Union will endeavour to pursue and promote
  all players of colours constitutional rights of
  equality.
• 1.2 LEGAL FRAMEWORK
• In terms of the Constitution of the Country, the
  Mpumalanga Rugby Union will promote the
  development of its members from designated groups
  and further the creation of equality and
  opportunities for all its members.
• With reference to medical testing and other
  assessments, the Mpumalanga Rugby Union will not
  allow medical testing unless
• 1.2.1 It is permitted by legislation
• 1.2.2 It is a requirement of SARU
• 1.2.3 It has been scientifically verified to be
  valid
• 1.2.4 It can be applied fairly to all members
• 1.2.5 It is not biased against any member or
  group.

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• BACKGROUND ON THE MPUMALANGA RUGBY UNION
  TRANSFORMATION and Development EFFORTS
• 2.1 INFORMATION ON INITIATIVES AND SUCCESSES
• The inclusion of black and colour were in all
  teams were effectively implemented and it can be
  stated that every player was accepted by all in
  the Mpumalanga Rugby Union and enjoyed and also
  enhanced their rugby playing skills during the
  inception of their efforts.
• It should be noted that players of colour were
  selected on merit and performance, which ensure
  that no negative feelings were created amongst
  fellow players. The players also preferred this
  concept and performed on par and better than
  players in the Mpumalanga Rugby Union and any
  opposing sides.
• We are proud to say that in comparison with
  previous years, a marked improvement with regard
  to the abovementioned aspects was experienced.

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• 3. PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF MPUMALANGA RUGBY
  UNION TRANSFORMATION AND DEVELOPMENT PLANS
• Within the bigger plan of Mpumalanga Rugby
  Union, the
• purpose of transformation and development is to
  ensure that all
• the players and public in the Mpumalanga Rugby
  Union and
• surrounding areas become more committed and
  enthusiastic
• about the Mpumalanga Rugby Union and especially
  the game
• of rugby itself within its region of
  responsibility.

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VISION

• To establish the elite in rugby in Mpumalanga
  Rugby Union together with the Mpumalanga Academy
  of Sport (MAS) as one of the best organized
  structures in all its facet in rugby game
  improvement.
• The Union and MAS will manage the elite rugby in
  its jurisdiction through marketing in clubs,
  schools and the communities by training and
  coaching.

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MISSION

• To promote and improve the standard of elite
  squads in rugby in the province within an
  affordable framework with available manpower.
• To structure under-developed areas to become part
  of the development project in order to broaden
  the basis of rugby in all the area in Mpumalanga
  province.

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• To put structures in place to make development
  for elite squads sustainable.
• To identify potential stars and administrators
  for higher positions and provide programs for
  growth
• To maintain the culture of rugby

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MPUMALANGA No. of Schools 1,805 No. Schools
Playing Rugby 129 No. Players 15,150 No. of
Clubs 23 No. of Club Players 1,750 No. of
Womens Clubs 3
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Introduction

• Mpumalanga Rugby Union has identified a need for
  more effective national co-ordination in the
  promotion and development of rugby in the
  Mpumalanga province.
• Improved collaboration and co-operation across
  the province has been identified as a priority to
  bring the issues of the province to focus. To
  reduce the fragmentation of effort, grow capacity
  and better utilise resources.
• There is lack of uniformity and consistency in
  the efforts of individual Clubs when promoting
  and developing rugby. Mpumalanga has a strong
  culture of rugby and abundance of talent and yet
  our participation is declining.
•  
• Rugby is dying in certain parts of the province
  and there are communities who were never provided
  with opportunities to participate in the game.
  The general trend for youth is not committing
  long term and not valuing the role of ongoing
  participation.
• There is a lot of competition for membership by
  other codes and that is eating out of our base.
  There is no incentive in the form of a structure
  to identify sporting talent and to develop it
  towards representative standards throughout the
  province.
•  
• There are serious challenges facing rugby at the
  top echelons, which have not been adequately
  addressed even after 14 years of unity. These
  unique challenges cannot be overcome unless there
  is a common strategy that informs our actions.
•  
• There will be more delivery from current
  resources as well as getting a greater return on
  new investments.

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Strategy Implementation Game Plan

• Coaching Of Coaches
•  
• In order to have more schools playing rugby there
  will be recruitment drives to encourage
  schoolteachers to be Coaches.
•  
• The Coaches will be empowered to be able to
  render quality coaching to players. Coaches
  should produce quality results and preserve the
  value of rugby.
•  
• Through quality coaching increased particpation
  in the game and retention will be encouraged.
•  
• Coaches are custodians of our sport and therefore
  they need support and resources in order to
  create a world-class environment for learning and
  development even in sub-economic areas.
•  
• Coaching is the key component of what defines
  success in rugby and is critical to the
  development of effective systems and structures
  within rugby.
•  
• Coaches education pathway should be linked to
  athlete development.
•  
• Coaching Of Players
•  
• There has to be an effective career pathway from
  junior to elite levels for players.
• Coaching at entry level should focus on the
  fundamentals of the game and not on results.

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Strategy Implementation Game Plan

• Monitoring and Evaluating
•  
• The impact of the programmes will be measured
  regularly against the objectives.
•  
• Evaluate and Correct
•  
• The performance is to be measured continually
  against the action plan.
• When not achieving targets and goals find out
  why.
• Find ways to solve problems.
• Use other people who have expertise in the field
  to help.
• Find out on how to improve performance and
  processes.
• Develop new initiatives.
• Select the right people to do development work.
• Develop the skills and capacity of Development
  Officers.

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Strategy Implementation Game Plan

• Principles
• In implementing the strategy several principles
  will be followed
• Ownership
• To ensure that the initiatives within the
  strategy are implemented and bring about the
  changes required the Province need to own,
  challenge, drive and improve the programme rather
  than it being driven by SA Rugby.
• Continuous Improvement
• The examination of progress made and initiatives
  that are working as much as those that are not
  willing to be critical to achieving the desired
  outcome. A factor in creating a suitable
  development environment is striving for
  continuous improvement.
• Partnership
• Implementing a development programme needs to be
  on a partnership basis in order to ensure that
  resources and efforts integrated to bring about
  the best results.

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Developing The Game Continuum Model

• Springbok
• Sevens
• Super 12

E X C E L L E N C E

• Talent Identification
• High Performance

C O M P E T I T I O N

• Provincial School/Senior

P A R T I C I P A T I O N

• School teams
• Club teams

• Opportunities - Rural

• Mini-rugby
• Tag rugby

• Schools
• Clubs
• Sub-Unions

F O U N D A T I O N

• Coaching of coaches?
• Coaching of Players ?
• LTAD Pathway begins ?

Fun enjoyment Recruitment of Players/Recruitment
of Coaches Volunteers
The intensity at the bottom of the triangle is
vital as it will improve rugby
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Grow the Game
Develop Funding Opportunities
Form Partnerships with Stakeholders
Game Development
Develop Staff Volunteers
Retain Current Membership whilst growing new
members
Improve Stake Holder Relationships
Game Development Objectives
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Strategy

• This strategy will support the delivery of the
  vision by identifying provincial goals and
  targets that use the knowledge, skills, talent
  and resources from across the province to support
  current and future initiatives.
• The strategy will focus on the delivery of our
  goals, each of which has measurable strategies
  and targets.

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• Objective 1
• Grow The Game 
• Identify schools and villages where rugby is not
  played and offer rugby as a sport of choice.
•  
• Get into new areas where there is no culture of
  playing rugby especially the rural under
  privileged people.
• Objective 2
• Form partnerships with Stakeholders 
• Form partnerships with stakeholders and other
  role players in the business.
• Objective 3
• Retain current membership whist growing new
  members
• Increase the retention results whilst also
  growing the number of participants.
• Develop and improve the stakeholders relationship
  and improve communication with all stakeholders.

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• Objective 4
• Improve Stakeholder Relationship.
• Objective 5
• Develop Staff and Volunteers
• Maximum capacitating of Development Officers and
  volunteers.
• Objective 6
• Develop Funding Opportunities
• The success of the strategy relies on the
  availability of funds.

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Key Processes to the Achieve the Strategy

• 1.1    Grow The Game
• Organise projects and events to attract youth to
  rugby fun and enjoyment
• Coaching clinics for school children and in
  communities to attract young players of all
  sexes.
• Organise coaches seminars and courses to
  capacitate aspirant and current coaches.
• Develop an effective career pathway from junior
  to elite.
• Provide material assistance to needy schools and
  areas.
• Provide funding and facilities to help facilitate
  participation.
• Spread knowledge, skills and best practise across
  the country. 

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• 1.2 Recruit and Develop Volunteers
• In order for the programme to be successful it
  should be sustainable.
• The developing communities should take ownership
  of the programme and form part of the planning
  and implementation processes.
• A strong volunteer base should be encouraged to
  assist in coaching, refereeing and general
  administration.
• Former rugby players and rugby enthusiasts are
  the people to be targeted for this purpose.
• It must be people who show passion and commitment
  not individuals interested in benefits (WIFM).
• Formal training and capacity building programmes
  should be provided for the volunteers.
• The Programmes must be designed to suite the
  level of the candidates (academic and
  non-academic)
• The ultimate goal is to have highly empowered
  volunteers and Development Officers
• 2. Form Partnerships

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• 3. Improve Retention Capacity
• Develop programmes that continually produce and
  retain an abundance of rugby players and rugby
  personnel.
• Identify and prioritise the key barriers to
  participation that restrict participation.
• Develop and co-ordinate programme of action that
  will remove the top priority barriers.
• 4. Improve Stakeholder Relationship
• Create understanding of the strategy and plans
  with the stakeholders.
• Effective communication of all the events and
  projects and the results with pictures.
• Keep everyone updated as we move along towards
  the set time. 

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• 5. Develop and Capacitate Development Officers
• An effective and systematic development programme
  should be driven by well-empowered personnel.
• Only development programmes that include
  satisfaction enjoyment and celebration of success
  will lead to the realisation of our goals.
• The Development Officers should possess
  quality-coaching abilities.
• The officers should be equipped with the
  necessary skills for accurate talent
  identification and development.
• All the officers should have sound administration
  skills in order to utilise time and resources
  efficiently and effectively.
• The Development officers should be empowered with
  conflict solving skills.
• They should be able to play all roles that make
  rugby to be played.
• Training in marketing the programme and skills to
  raise funds through sponsorship and other means.
• 6. Develop Funding Opportunities
• SA Rugby cannot solely fund the Development
  Programme.
• If we are to succeed. There are other sectors
  that need to be involved in a co-ordinated way.
  Local authorities, Sports Trusts, The National
  Lottery and the Government Departments. The
  emphasis will be on aligning community resources
  to complement those from Mpumalanga Rugby Union.

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Programme Flagship

• Rammetjie Rugby
• It is a sampling programme to deliver the rugby
  experience of rugby to children and parents in an
  accessible, welcoming, fun and convenient
  environment. The programme will help boost
  player numbers at junior level.
• The programme will focus on physical activity and
  code specific skills development. The kids will
  get training for 6 weeks and then start
  participating in games at local, zonal and
  regional level.
• Each Region will hold a Rammetjie Rugby Day where
  Club teams will play. The focus and target
  market is children that have never played rugby
  before. Newly recruited coaches and volunteer
  will cut their teeth at this level.
• From here the players will graduate to schools
  rugby programmes.
• This is where the career of future stars will be
  nurtured. All the necessary skills and methods
  which are essential for the road ahead will be
  dispensed at this level.

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L.T.A.D. ModelBased on Chronological
Maturation Rates
The Rest
UNCONTESTED SCRUMS KEEP PEOPLE IN THE GAME, IT
SHOULD BE ABOUT ENJOYMENT
TALENT I.D.
Elite Preparation
Clubs/ Youth Teams
FULL GAME CONTESTED SCRUMS / FEED PERFORMANCE
GAME
U18s Upwards Boys Girls
Youth Rugby
MODIFIED GAME INTRODUCE LINEOUT AND UNCONTESTED
SCRUM
U16s Boys Girls
Junior Rugby
MODIFIED GAME LOOKING TO ADDRESS AREAS LIKE
TACKLE DEFENCE ONLY
8 to 12 TAG RUGBY TOUCH RUGBY SEVENS
INTRO TO SPORT THROUGH MASS PARTICIPATION FOR FUN
ENJOYMENT GOVERNMENT OBJECTIVES PRODUCING
ATHLETES
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Critical Success Factors

• Development being seen as a process rather than
  an outcome i.e. long term rather than short term.
• A strong communication network and collaboration
  between all stakeholders.
• Athlete development system to ensure the
  longevity of athletes to remain in the system.
• Uniformity in the approach to development adopted
  by all Clubs and Schools with creation of
  opportunity for all as the centrepiece.
• Emphasis on quality core skills development,
  motivation of participants rather than winning
  competitions as an absolute priority at junior
  level.
• Recruitment and retention of players and staff at
  sub-elite level to receive more attention.

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Critical Success Factors

• Each Region will endorse the strategy through its
  own internal processes.
• Each region will elect a Coordinating Committee
  to make recommendations according to needs
  relating to the implementation of the strategy.
• All the Stakeholders in rugby development should
  be represented on the Committee i.e. Schools
  Primary and Post Primary, Clubs Urban and Rural,
  Sub Unions, Administrators.
• The Development Manager or Coordinator appointed
  by the Union will lead the implementation of the
  strategy.
• An operational budget will be provided annually
  by MRU to fund the projects and initiatives
  approved by the Co-ordinating Committee.
• There will be monthly reports on progress given
  by the Project Managers and Development Officers.
• Immediate action will be taken to re align
  implementation to meet objectives and to adapt
  outcomes to be relevant to current changes in
  rugby.
• Emphasis is on improved collaboration and
  co-operation across the country to create a
  national view that would bring the issues of the
  country into focus, reduce fragmentation of
  effort, leverage skills, grow leadership
  capability and better utilise resources.

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What will Success look like?

• Our five (5) year plan (2006 to 2011) long-term
  goal is to see more players in Mpumalanga
  enjoying success through rugby.
• In the short to medium term, the strategy will be
  successful if all the role players and
  stakeholders embrace a better understanding of
  indicators of an effective programme.

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Key Indicators of Success include

• Increased mass participation in rugby by players
  at all levels. More schools will play rugby and
  more coaches will join the game.
• The provision of quality coaching to all.
• More youth clubs for boys and girls in areas
  where rugby was not played and community
  involvement.
• More competitions and rugby programmes at
  subsequent levels of specialisation towards elite
  levels.
• Well co-ordinated projects driven in
  collaboration with various stakeholders and
  active partnerships.
• Increased parent and community support for the
  game.
• More quality players coming through from all
  communities and making impact at the top echelons
  of the game.

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Rugby Structuring in each Region

• The operations of each Region are divided into 4
  Sections
• 1. Governance Policy Formulation
• Constitution and bye laws
• Strategy formulation Leadership
• 2. Finance and Administration Budgeting
• Controls
• Marketing

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Rugby Structuring in each Region

• 3. Rugby Operations Fixtures
• Competitions
• Referees
• Fields
• 4. Development Coaching and playing of rugby
• Age grade rugby, Youth, Sevens Womens
  Rugby
• Capacity building Coaches, Referees First
  Aides

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Magligen Declaration U.N Every person is
entitled to participate in sport including women,
young people, the elderly and the disabled.

• The worst enemy of rugby development is lip
  service, centralising the programme at the
  headquarters.
• Children do not only have the right to play, they
  also have the right to provision of opportunity
  to play.

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Areas of Focus for Game Development

• Developing the next generation of rugby players
• Boosting player numbers in junior, senior clubs
  and schools
• Create a strong volunteer base and support
• Help schools, clubs and the volunteers to manage
  growth
• Provide new and additional resources to train and
  assist club administrators, coaches and referees
  etc.
• Creating new rugby clubs in targeted areas likely
  to support rugby growth.

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Rugby Development Approach towards Growth

• As much as a lot is said about the strong culture
  of rugby that exists in certain communities of
  the Mpumalanga.
• The truth is that the game is not played in all
  the areas. There is still a huge task facing the
  rugby organisation in the area to take the game
  to new areas.
• In the former Home Land areas alone there are
  hundreds of thousands of people that do not know
  about the game I.e Camslushwa, Kabokweni,
  KaNyamazane, KaBokweni, Daantjie, Bushbuck Range,
  Haziview, ext.
• It is imperative to form strategic partnership
  with the local authorities and the Department of
  Culture, Sport and Recreation.
• Rugby should provide expertise and direction to
  these institution in their social upliftment
  programmes.
• The programmes should be target focussed in order
  to be sustainable.

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Rugby Development Approach towards Growth

• Activities
• Recruitment of Coaches including Female Coaches
  from targeted schools and training there of
  through Courses and Coaches Seminars.
• Recruitment of players through coaching clinics
  for target age groups Under 12 boys and girls.
• Introduction of Rammetjie Rugby Mini rugby and
  its rules.
• Game between teams should be arranged and
  festivals should be regularly organised.
• Assitance
• Transport of teams to the games
• Kit for participants and coaches should be
  provided
• Refreshments for participants
• Certificates for Female Coaches and creation
  clear career pathways for coaches and players.