Combining culture, solid coaching and a groundbreaking wellness programme drives Melkbosstrand High’s rugby success.
This school gained promotion for next year to play in the WP Premier B division. This represents a significant step up for a school that is only 13 years old.
According to Christo Lotz, the school’s sports organiser, it has been a tough road since he joined in 2020. When school sports were able to start again following the Covid pandemic, Lotz focused on the junior teams.
“We brought in brilliant coaches. I believe we have the best team of coaches available. There are no egos within the coaching team, just hard work. It is a great culture,” Lotz says.
The true testament to this school’s on-field success lies in their off-field initiatives. Lotz has started a comprehensive player wellness programme for all teams. it has worked so well that he is in the process of expanding the programme to other sporting codes within the school.
According to him, periodical questionnaires sent to learners help coaching staff track mental wellbeing. It also helps them manage the players’ workload more effectively.
“Playing and competing at peak performance levels is tough for these kids. They must balance academics and home life with playing rugby successfully. If you don’t know what battles a player is fighting, how can you help?” he asks.
According to him, there are players who wake up in early morning hours. They do this to arrive at school on time each day.
“If you know a player isn’t getting enough sleep, you can structure sessions accordingly. Or if you know players are struggling with his academic workload, you can help. It is about having a holistic approach,” Lotz explains.
This holistic approach has proved a successful recipe for Lotz and his teams.
“We are excited for the challenge this new division presents. I know we are playing catch-up with more established schools, but we are competitive. Of course we want to grow and keep climbing the ladder. First we need to consolidate our position. I would like to see us claim a big scalp next season, maybe Stellenberg,” he says.
Melkbosstrand kick off the division matches with a home match against DF Malan on 11 April.
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