Logan de Bruyn (five years old from Stephanus Roos Primary School) was one of the 4,572 stars on Midstream Ridge Primary Primary School’s rugby field. (Photo: Charmaine Visser)
Rugby is going very well in Bloubulland; let’s give just a few examples: Affies beat Gray College, Tukkies is the Varsity Cup champion, Naka Bulle is an unstoppable club rugby force and the senior team will enjoy home field advantage in the quarter-finals of the United Rugby Championship.
But the foundation for sustained success was laid on the grounds of Midstream Ridge Primary on Saturday when thousands of Bullets players (4,572 to be exact) played in hundreds of games.
Yes-no, the OUTsurance Blue Bulls Bullet Day on the beautiful fields of this school in the Pretoria area only gets bigger and better for the young players every year.
“For me, it is the most beautiful thing to see the children’s excitement,” says Esje Esterhuyse. “You see players from different schools competing together, building new friendships and just enjoying the game.”
Here stand the men! Front: Hanru Oosthuizen (Voorpos Primary School), Aiden Verster (Villeiria Primary School), Karlu Erasmus (Elarduspark Primary School) and Jason Pienaar (Wonderboom Primary School). Behind: Mateo van der Walt (Midstream Ridge Primary School), Esje Esterhuyse (chairman) and Henco Oosthuizen (Midstream Ridge Primary School). (Photo: Charmaine Visser)
According to the new chairman of the Bulls’ primary school rugby association, the day establishes, among other things, the values of the game among the rising stars.
“It’s not just about winning, but also about skills, discipline, teamwork and self-confidence. At this young age, children learn to love the game and this helps them to adapt more easily to bigger and more competitive rugby later on.”
Young and old (or maybe “older” is a better word choice) smile big
Between the tries, RIP touchdown moments and “serious” team talks, there is also time for loads of smiles.
Toy Smith is one of the enthusiastic fathers who also serves as a coach. His twins – Sebastiaan and Simeon – are under-8 Bullets who play in the colors of Midstream Ridge.
After all, humor is one of a coach’s best allies.
The Smith men are always ready for action: Here is Sebastiaan, older brother Chris, father Toy and Simeon. (Photo: Provided)
“It makes the learning process fun for the children. That’s why we can laugh together during training sessions, but they also understand when you have to be serious,” he told Maroela Media.
According to Smith, he wouldn’t trade the quality time he spends with his sons for anything else.
“I use this time to teach them more about rugby, but – and this is more important – they also learn life lessons and more about sportsmanship.”
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Hennopspark Primary School’s Janco Faber. (Photo: Charmaine Visser)
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Jaun Entertainment from Laerskool Villeiria in full swing. (Photo: Provided)
Patience, he reckons, is not only an extremely important quality for a Bulletjie coach, but a definite necessity.
“You are part of a child’s development at a very early stage of his life and therefore their skills are not quite where they should be. If you do not teach them these skills with patience, they will not be able to do it. I want to teach these children a love for rugby in the right way from an early age, precisely so that it will live on.”
But alas, Bullet Day is fun.
“There are children who get the opportunity to excel for the first time – like when they score a try for the first time. And that makes this day extremely special.”
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Louis Leipoldt Primary School’s Cohan van der Riet waves with the ball under his arm. (Photo: Charmaine Visser)
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Johannes Moolman (Lynnwood Primary School) is the one concentration. (Photo: Charmaine Visser)
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Constantiapark Primary School’s Jason Meyer is on his way to the goal line! (Photo: Charmaine Visser)
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Fun with the Midstream schools mascots. (Photo: Charmaine Visser)
Could that day be even bigger?
“Definitely,” is Esterhuyse’s immediate answer.
“We believe every year can be bigger and better. The interest is growing and we want to keep improving with more schools, a more enjoyable experience for the players and even greater involvement of the community.”
The day saw plenty of action. (Photo: Charmaine Visser)
As usual, there were certainly a few future Springboks among the more than 4,500 players.
“The most important thing is that today they get the opportunity to live out their passion for rugby. You never know; maybe in a few years we will look back at the event and see how one of the Boks played in his Bulletjie jersey.”
Esterhuyse and Riaan Langenhoven smile for the camera with the lucky charms. (Photo: Charmaine Visser)