A smooth start was the best way to describe the opening day of the AMG Global Falcon College Under-14 Rugby Coaching Festival in Esigodini where South African experts are sharing their knowledge with local youngsters from Friday till Sunday.

The first day saw the five South African coaches, Jacques Botes, Greg Miller, Michael Horak, Nico le Roux and Marius Hurter handing out tips to local lads. For the Under-14s, the focus was on rucking, defence, ball handling and ball contact while for the seniors the focal point was scrums and lineouts for the forwards and backline play for those who play at the back.

After lunch, the teams got to play matches against each other with at least one fixture for all the teams which are taking part. Falcon College first team took on their Lomagundi counterparts in a friendly fixture as the two are gearing up for their respective tours.

Bryan Ray, the Falcon College Under-14 coach felt that the first day went smoothly with the  South African coaches showing passion about getting the players as well as their mentors to a better level. What really impressed Ray was the coaches’ attention to detail which showed how the game has changed. 

“The coaches were very enthusiastic, they put as much focus on the improving the coaches as well as improving the players. Their attention to detail was a big eye opener for me and demonstrating how the game is evolving continuously even from this time last year there has been adaptations and tweaks that have come into the game and it just goes to show that you’ve got to constantly bring this calibre of coaches if you want to improve the kids,’’ said Ray.

He described the matches which were played as being held in a friendly spirit with each team being allocated an external coach each to help them who continuously assisted the players and their coaches throughout the games.

Falcon College Under-14 Schools Rugby Festival first day full results

Whitestone 15-25 Barwick, Northlea 0-Hillcrest 35, Midlands Christian College 0-Lomagundi 65, Falcon 0-Heritage 35, Whitestone/Barwick 0-Highlands 45, Christian Brothers College 20-Churchill 0.

@Mdawini_29