A dedicated junior rugby structure in the Helderberg has officially taken flight following a new collaboration between Mr Accuracy Rugby Academy and Helderberg Rugby Club.

Designed to bridge grassroots skill development with senior club rugby, the initiative has already drawn massive local interest, signing up 70 young players in a short span.

The initiative stems from a need for expanded youth opportunities beyond the traditional schools’ rugby calendar.

“This project started from a personal place,” said Rutger Boshoff, founding member and programme manager of Mr Accuracy Rugby Academy.

As a parent, I wanted more rugby opportunities for my sons because the school season is too short. Our community desperately needed a dedicated junior club structure.

By partnering with Helderberg Rugby Club – known for its rich heritage and strong community presence – the academy aims to establish a long-term pathway for young athletes training across the under-9 to under-13 age groups.

Because young players naturally disperse to different high schools as they grow, the goal of the partnership is to build a lasting connection to the club so that players proudly return to represent Helderberg’s senior teams in the future.

In addition to building a long-term pipeline, the programme addresses several immediate grassroots needs, including organising off-season fixtures to provide players with opportunities to play against established clubs such as Hamilton and Brackenfell rugby clubs.

Inclusive coaching will offer access to top-tier coaching for children who may slip through the cracks in lower school teams and safe player development allows boys who have not yet hit their growth spurts to develop safely without having to play up against larger under-13 players.

Founded by father-and-son duo Martin and Leon Smith in 2015, Mr Accuracy Rugby Academy focuses on elite-level precision and fundamental skill development. The academy’s leadership brings extensive experience to the partnership as Martin is a former director of rugby at SA Rugby College, who has coached alongside Springbok legends Nick Mallett and Andre Markgraaf.

Leon holds 20 years of coaching experience and was named St George RFC’s Coach of the Year last year.

To date, the academy’s emphasis on technical foundation has produced 15 Western Province under-12 and under-13 representative players.

The new partnership is preparing for its first major test at the Morningstar Junior 7-a-Side Tournament.

Selecting and preparing four squads in under a month posed a significant administrative challenge, given the unique, high-tempo skill set required for sevens rugby. Ultimately, the academy narrowed its group down to 40 players best suited for the fast-paced game.

The club will field four squads – Helderberg 1 and 2 across both the under-11 and under-13 divisions. With several current WP youth players in the system who have previously worked under Martin and Leon, team management expects to field highly competitive squads worthy of the Helderberg badge.

While the teams are focused on strong tournament performances, the overarching mission is centered on community and supporting young athletes.

“My main motivation is simply giving local children more time to play the game they love,” Boshoff noted. “Success means watching these 40 boys play with pride, honouring the legendary legacy of Helderberg and strengthening this phenomenal community partnership.”