Clement Trout from Belhar, sports administrator/coordinator at the University of the Western Cape (UWC), was one of three members of UWC who represented South Africa at the 2018 International University Sports Federation (FISU) World University Rugby Sevens Championships in Namibia.
He was the assistant coach/team manager of the SA team, with the other two members being Verno Treu and Leandi Smith.
“I was shortlisted after the University National Sevens Tournaments and was part of the winning team at the final. At the tournament I identified areas I can improve on as a coach and manager. Working at national level is a totally different ball game compared to what I was used to at varsity level. I came back much more confident and sharpened up,” he says.
He also realised at the tournament that UWC students are not far off the mark and only small adjustments and more exposure or opportunities will help to improve the students.
“My main goal with the students at UWC is to be successful and represent UWC with pride and honour. On my bucket list is to be involved with our National Sevens Programme in Stellenbosch, but my immediate goal is to achieve success with UWC in the National University Sevens tournaments later this month and in October,” Trout says.
“Exposure is important, not only for the athlete/player but also for the club. Opportunities are far and few and when the opportunity arrives you must make the best of it.
“When I am not involved with sport at UWC I am a husband to a beautiful wife and father to two sons. Our work is so demanding that time off I spend with my family and close friends is precious and treasured.
The advice that he received as a youngster that is still part and parcel of him today is that you should always respect others and fight for what you believe in.
