The first was to bridge the gap between school rugby and the provincial rugby. The difference between schools rugby and provincial rugby was becoming bigger. With this tournament the boys got a taste of provincial rugby before the huge pressure of Craven week.
The second reason was that there was no tournament for the u/12 boys to take part in. Most provinces selected a u/12 team; however some of these teams never had the opportunity to play against other teams and had to take part in u/13 tournaments.
Newcastle was selected to host this tournament because of its central location to all the provinces.
This tournament started with just four teams in 2006. KZN, Lions, Leopards and Puma’s were the first teams to participate in the tournament.
In 2007 these four teams were joined by the Valke, Blou Bulle and Limpopo and Lammergeyers (old Northern KZN ).
In 2008 the Free State replaced the Lammergeyer team.
This year we are hosting 9 teams with the Griffons joining us.
At this tournament we do not only aim to improve the boys taking part, but most of the participating provinces use this to improve their referees and we have a program to assist them.
More than 250 parents from all over South Africa attend this Tournament and more than 350 players and officials attend the tournament in the past.
The Northern Natal Rugby Union is committed to its most important people, the junior rugby players. The committee is always willing to do everything in its power to promote rugby and in particular to ensure the rugby players have every opportunity available to achieve their goals.
The Committee is very active and, where possible, also tries to assist children from disadvantaged areas to pursue their love for the sport. |
