FANS, PLANS AND MANY HANDS THE RECIPE FOR RUGBY SUCCESS

BY ROBIN ADAMS

THE YEAR PRECEDING a Rugby World Cup is always a big one for players around the world, who strive to deliver their best performances because they want to be noticed by selectors. This is pretty much top-of-mind for UWC’s rugby players in the Varsity Cup this season. With growing media interest and a significant spike in television viewership, it was their time to 'haal uit en wys'. First-team coach Paul Treu explains what this means for his players. “It is such a great opportunity for players to impress the franchise teams. Next year we have the World Cup, and these guys want to go all out and make an impression on those coaches and try and secure a professional contract, like some of our other players did last year.”

THERE’S AN ADDED INCENTIVE THIS YEAR. The return of supporters, albeit a reduced number, means players heard the roar of adoring fans in the stadiums again.

“It’s one of the things we missed for the last two-and-a-half years,” says Treu. “Living and playing in a bubble was tough, with a quick turnaround in games and no spectators. And it is just awesome to be back at UWC in the Operation Room. “The guys have been looking forward to playing in front of their home crowd and have their fellow students cheer them on.”

There’s been a lot of media attention on this squad of players but Treu is more impressed with their academic performances than their celebrity. This year, the team boasts six players who have returned to complete postgraduate studies. Treu couldn’t be more proud.

He says, “Our priority has always been to prepare players for life after studies, and that is what we’ve always managed to do. The academic support has been excellent. We have so many players coming back for postgraduate studies.”

FIRST-TEAM CAPTAIN LYLE HENDRICKS has registered to do his honours in business administration. “It’s an amazing opportunity which the university gave me. They gave me a bursary to study and I couldn’t say no to it. And it’s just amazing to further my studies while playing rugby at the same time. And meeting new people, including friends who have since turned into family.”

TREU AND HIS MANAGEMENT TEAM are determined to get the best out of their players and staff dietician Carinne Adams is on hand to ensure there are no gatsby’s and masala steak sandwiches or sneaking in Friday night fish and chips parcels.

She says, “The biggest stumbling block is unlearning behaviour and habits advised by people who aren’t specialists in nutrition, like fitness instructors. And it is also changing mindsets and eating habits in terms of nutrition. Vegetables are important. Just getting a rugby player to eat a piece of broccoli has been difficult. We’ve changed some of those habits already. What I am hoping to achieve is growing a group of young men who want to perform better, but also change their lifestyle habits and make a lifetime commitment to eating nutritious meals. My role is to make sure the boys are refuelled, rehydrated and recover optimally.

The mood within the squad is amazing and there is a real brotherhood among the boys.

ANEESAH ADAMS

“THERE ARE MULTIPLE STEPS when it comes to nutrition, but the main focus at UWC is to make sure they are offered nutritious and balanced meals. We are feeding their bodies for performance, whether it be on the field or for training.

“I physically prepare the meals myself with a team of interns from the UWC Dietetics Department. We cook for the boys on training days and game days. I make sure they have a balanced meal with proper hydration and I keep track that they are on course for their nutrition profiles and the positions they play.”

SPORTS ADMINISTRATORS’ ASSISTANT and Young Guns manager, Aneesah Adams, says, “The mood within the squad is amazing and there is a real brotherhood among the boys.”

Skipper Hendricks agrees. “The team spirit and energy are high. And with fans being allowed back and playing at our home stadium after more than a year, it adds that extra motivation for the players. The performances come out when there is a crowd. We’re excited about the challenge ahead of us this season. The beauty of the Varsity Cup is that you’re exposed to so many scouts and agents, that you don’t know where you might land up. The boys are excited about this tournament and playing their best. Their ambitions are obviously to reach the next level of rugby.”

THE PRIORITY RIGHT NOW is staying in the Varsity Cup. Unlike last year, relegation looms. The points from last season will be added to this year’s tally and the two worst-performing teams will be out of the competition. Treu and his talented team are going all-out to avoid that fate. B+G