Since we started tracking the movement of schoolboy rugby players a few weeks ago, I have been continuously confronted with the question: “Who is most important, the future development of the player or the 'rights' of a school and or their coaches?
This question became even more complex to answer following several requests from teachers at the Zayo Academy.
Poaching - who is right and what is the right thing to do? Please send us your opinion AND your solution to news@ruggas.co.za.
The Zayo Academy is an inclusive educational and sports institute in Pretoria. They have a gym facility and have produced players for rugby's Blue Bulls youth teams and other national tournaments.
Zayo plays rugby in local Pretoria leagues. Since 2019, the academy has partnered with C.R. Swart Hoërskool to compete in the Blue Bulls High Schools League. They also participate in various school-level tournaments.
Taking everything into account, it is to be “expected” that their players will be targeted by “Rugby Schools.”
According to teachers from Zayo, one boy was approached by Menlo Park and another by St Alban's College. Taking my wisdom into account, I have no objection to these boys accepting these opportunities; however, history has taught me that several, if not all, of these boys do not make it “up there” and are along the way spit out by the “system," forcing them back into a system where they are no longer welcome.
However, and this is where it becomes a lot more interesting. According to Zayo’s staff, three other stars were approached by Rietondale High School. Rietondale is competing in the Section 3 schools’ competition in Pretoria. Wow?
This time, my wisdom says that this is disrespectful to the Zayo Academy and their coaches for the effort they put into developing the player, with little to nothing to be gained by the player, apart from maybe a few Rand here and there. The biggest winner? Rietondale and the ego of the coaches?
Poaching - who is right and what is the right thing to do? Please send us your opinion AND your solution to news@ruggas.co.za.