Young Sables prepare at Cottco festival

cottco_rugby_festivalHARARE - The annual schoolboys rugby competition Cottco Festival - began here on Monday with the national Under-20 side set to showcase their talent tomorrow as part of their preparations for the 2010 Junior World Trophy to roar into life in Russia next month. (Pictured: The Young Sables in action)

Head coach, Brighton Chivandire, believes participating at the countrys biggest junior rugby tourney will help his side perfect their team work before the big show, in May.

This is a good opportunity for us because it gives us the chance to play together as a team after being joined by the foreign based players, said Chivandire. It will be inspiring for the young players at the festival to watch the national U-20s displaying their talent for they look forward to play for the national team. The fact that there will be teams from other invited countries is fantastic. It gives an international flavour to the competition.

Chivandires charges, who are affectionately known as the Young Sables, are in Pool B of the global rugby showdown alongside Canada, Japan and hosts Russia.

They qualified for the junior championships to represent the continent after emerging champions at the 2009 Africa Cup, hosted in Kenya, last August.

The Young Sables mentor and other local coaches will have the experience of playing three regional teams Botswana, Zambia and South Africa- in competitive encounters that will see the rugby tutors sharing international experience.

A total of 150 teams are currently participating in the rugby gala that the title sponsors Cotton Company- have been proud to promote for the past decade.

By bringing schools from outside the country, we are trying to add value to the festival and its a big opportunity for local coaches to exchange notes with their foreign counterparts, said Cottco Corporate Communications Executive, Maria Pangidzwa.

“This tournament has produced players who are now turning out for various national teams. Its a big platform for clubs to witness raw talent at grassroots level. I am glad that Cottco remains committed to the future of schools rugby. We are launching another exciting edition where talent is identified and natured to become national team material. Its our sincere hope that this annual event continues to grow in stature as players, especially those from high density schools get the much needed exposure.

Most of the Young Sables players leave Harare for Russia on May 13.

Post published in: Rugby

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *