No: DSSE1106

31 August 2011

Maritzburg College discover incredible fair play stat

Durban – KZN midlands high school Maritzburg College has reported a dramatic fifty percent reduction in foul play in all levels of their rugby, and have attributed this to the pupils buying into a code of fair play.

Maritzburg College is one of 22 schools affiliated to the Discovery SharkSmart programme that promotes a vigorous ethic of “play safe, play fair’, which staff at the school firmly believe to be behind the sharp fall in reported incidents of foul play and poor sportsmanship in their rugby.

“It was incredible to note that our disciplinary hearing count had decreased by over fifty percent from last year,” said first team coach and director of rugby at the school, Steve Botha.

“Right from the start of the season we’ve always encouraged our boys to play hard but, as per SharkSmart’s philosophy, to play safely and fairly as well and I think constant reinforcement of this message has played a significant role in the results we are now seeing,” he added.

A sound disciplinary protocol ensures all incidents are handled appropriately and efficiently and in turn the young players understand that negative actions on the field will result in immediate consequences.

“Every player who receives a red or a yellow card has to meet with the Master in Charge, the coach and myself on the Monday morning after the game whereby they tell their story of what happened, the coach gives their input and the referee’s report is taken into consideration,” said Botha.

“Based on all the evidence the player is then disciplined appropriately, usually with a one or two week suspension, unless they have a track record in which case they are automatically suspended for three weeks,” he added.

After a spate of negative media reports highlighting concerns regarding schoolboy rugby Botha hopes Maritzburg College aren’t the only ones to be experiencing such a positive trend.

“I feel generally there is a good sense of sportsmanship in schoolboy rugby in KZN at the moment, particularly at first team level, and I really hope we’re not the only once noticing such results,” said Botha.

“The games are hard and there is a great rivalry between many schools but from what I have seen I think generally things are still played in a very good sprit.”

“Our match against Glenwood, for example, was incredibly tough and was very physical. It had been a great contest which came down to the last kick and unfortunately we ended up losing (31-32) but afterwards both teams walked off the field and hugged each other and shook hands. It was a fantastic advert for the game,” he added.

More information can be found at www.sharksmart.co.za

ENDS

Gameplan Media

Kyle Gilham/
Gameplan Media