Wikipedia:WikiProject Rugby league/Resources/Boksburg Hooters history

Dave Southern wrote:

"Did you know that Rugby League is now played in Boksburg due to the efforts of Bateman employees?

Rugby League, the Thirteen (13) man game is rated in the "small sport" category in South Africa. It is played from August till January when Rugby Union has their off season which is effectively a summer training programme for Rugby Union players. Not only do they keep fit but also develop skills from a different rugby game. The League is played on Friday nights which encourages a family outing. Remember, if it rains on a Friday night the game will not be postponed unless the pitch is water logged. This is where a brolly comes in handy for a supporter.

Who is involved?

Mitch van Breda - Scholar -15 year old son of Veronica Els, in our Salaries Dept. He is better known as the "baby" of the team and he shows guts to play with the much older senior players.

Dajnn Hogg (18) - Bateman Equipment employee and is the live wire son of Leigh Hogg of H.R. "Skinny" as he may be nobody is too big to be tackled.

John Kinsella – is the Kenmare Client on the MOMA project and is Player-From Dublin, Ireland already a stalwart in the team.

Marius Cilliers - Bateman Minerals-Planner on the MOMA project. - Player/Coach. He is still too young to become full time coach.

Dave van Reenen - Bateman Metals-Project Accountant-Organiser / Chairman - now an Honorary President of South African Rugby League after a 10 year spell as a board member of S.A.R.L.

How did it happen?

An innocent call from Veronica to Dave to find out where she could get Mitch involved in Rugby as he was driving her mad led to chat between Marius and Dave After numerous calls to and from potential players the formation of the club was a formality.

As the Boksburg Rugby Club was already in off season hibernation when they were approached, they were keen on the offer and accepted our proposition gladly. As a matter of fact they are presently the only Rugby Union club operating as joint venture between the Rugby Union and League, which may lead to bigger things in future with other clubs.

The Club.

The playing headquarters is Prince George Park in Boksburg and the Boksburg Union Club provides the infrastructure for training and matches.

There are presently 26 playing members and they come from all over: Boksburg, Elsburg, Kempton Park, Edenvale and even as far as Roodepoort.

The club has accepted the owl logo of Boksburg Rugby club but prefers to be called the Boksburg Hooters instead of the Union club name Owls.

The chosen name blends in perfectly with other clubs playing e.g. Centurion Lions, Pretoria Bulls, Silverton Silverbacks, Maritzburg Tuskers, Cape Cobras, and the Springs Vultures, just to mention a few.

The club is managed by Dave and Marius.

Club Requirements

The club is an amateur club and is dependent on donations and sponsorships, and any of the following contributions will be appreciated.

1. Advertise the existence of the club i.e. tell a friend ,tell a potential player - all players are welcome. There is no restriction on playing teams.

2. Support the club on home games.

3. Link the club with potential sponsors.

Sponsorship of the following is needed. Sponsors name can appear prominently on playing kit, kit bags etc.

• A set of jerseys
• A set of socks
• A set of shorts
• Kitbags
• Golf shirts for team on match days.
• First aid kit
• First aid equipment
• First aider for home games.
• 2 Cases of cokes for two tired teams after an 80 minute game.(Home games only).

Club News

After three weeks of existence, the Hooters lost to Springs Vultures by 28-22 in the dying moments of their game played on 10 November 2004 at the Elsburg Rugby Club double header evening.

The next match will be played at Boksburg on 19 November against Eastern Falcons (S. A. Police side - Eastern Gauteng). "