The Coastal Touchies, a touch rugby team which was initially established by a group of friends in Jeffreys Bay to keep fit, has grown to 60 players and now the senior members hope to positively impact the lives of the young people in the group.
Team member, Leigh Beaumont, said the touch rugby group was established in February when a small group of friends were looking for methods to keep fit.
Since the group of friends played rugby together throughout high school, establishing a touch rugby team meant they could play a sport they have always enjoyed and remain in frequent contact with each other.
To stay in touch and arrange games, a Whats-App group was formed which included Beaumont and his friends, as well as locals who previously expressed their interest in joining the team.
What started as a fitness group grew into a large touch rugby team of 60 players with ages ranging between 14 and 35.
Beaumont said at the time of its establishment, their focus was solely on fitness and camaraderie, but as the numbers grew the group became much more diverse.
“With the diversity in the group we realised that we were in a position to make a difference in the lives of our youngsters,” said Beaumont.
Despite the group being open to all ages, Beaumont said since the formation of the team they had seen a large interest from learners from the area and the group therefore mainly consisted of high school learners and unemployed youth.
“We witnessed learners gaining confidence and becoming more outspoken while growing as individuals, as well as part of a team,” said Beaumont.
He further said the learners were enthusiastic about Coastal Touchies and remained dedicated to the team by being present every Saturday morning at 08:30 at Main Beach in Jeffreys Bay.
In addition, the fitness and focus levels of the young people have caused them to refrain from participating in unhealthy and detrimental activities.
While the young members in the group have been hard at work, the senior members who mainly joined the group to improve their fitness have ensured that all the players have Coastal Touchies branded kits, branded water on match days and transport to and from Jeffreys Bay.
“The senior players have become leaders and role models to the scholars by enabling and assisting them beyond the game,” said Beaumont.
“Being a part of the Coastal Touchies group encourages a healthy lifestyle, discipline, friendship and respect.”
Since the group registered as a non-profit organisation in August, Beaumont said they have been greatly dependent on donations to maintain their current group and expand further in the future.
They therefore hope to bring together the Kouga Municipality, local businesses, and the community to continue to build and grow the group.
Beaumont said he also hoped the team would soon be part of the intercity and interprovincial tournaments to represent the Kouga and surrounding districts while enriching the lives of those involved simultaneously.
On October 30, the group will hold its first internal fun day in which the Coastal Touchies Seniors will play against the Coastal Touchies Young Guns at Kabeljous Beach.
“The group’s objective is to create a community within Coastal Touchies and impact the players and role players in a positive manner.”
- For more information email the Coastal Touchies on Coastaltouchies@gmail.com, contact Leigh Beaumont on 078 535 3165 or visit their Facebook page Coastal Touchies.
