Hero photograph
 Rugby 1st XV
 
Photo by Burnside High School

Rugby

Dali Ndebele —

Rugby has the power to teach positive values, build character and to transform lives. With this notion at the core of all activities, Burnside High School is positive that we can grow the game of rugby and restore some pride after what was a tough season.

Rugby entities all have cycles, and Burnside High Rugby found itself in a bit of a trough in 2017, and player stocks for 2018, particularly front row players, did not indicate that our 1st XV would be any more competitive next season. As such, a decision was taken to withdraw from the UC Championship and participate in the U18 Metro Competition as we embark on a comprehensive rebuilding phase.

The aim is to implement a structured formal Rugby Development Programme (RDP) together with a values and behaviour approach to ultimately generate excellence in the game. The objective is also to inspire and stimulate progressive and innovative approaches to how the game is played and administered, as well as to offer the kind of support, mentorship and quality rugby coaching and training, together with a life skills programme to ensure the holistic growth of participants, helping all involved to make the most of themselves. The RDP will further strive to promote sportsmanship as well as to place prominence on participation in sport for the right reasons, but with enjoyment being the main focus in all activities.

The implementation of a comprehensive strategic blueprint is intended to create and sustain the existence of perennially competitive Girls, U14, U15, U16 and Open Boys’ teams moving forward. Players in all the age groups have been identified and a lot of energy has gone into recruiting individuals, from within the school, who will be part of 1st XV teams for the next four years, and this has instilled a sense of confidence that BHS Rugby will be healthy in the foreseeable future. 

It is also encouraging that at least five members of staff will be involved in coaching and another one in managing a team. This will go a long way towards maintaining contact and relationships with students, and ensuring growth of the game.

The thrust of delivering the key competencies of the programme is a Long Term Athlete Development model, tailored for BHS Rugby, which integrates coaching activities and aims to provide alignment and continuity across all the age groups while providing a collective intent amongst all the rugby stakeholders. The model includes technical, tactical, conditioning, nutrition, mental and social skills components, with its main feature being a progressive and recursive reinforcement of skills that take into consideration the age and physical capacities of the players. We advocate an athlete-centred coaching approach whose objective is to empower players to take ownership and responsibility for on-field activities, while the key skills identified are designed to foster a modern, skills-based, expansive, running game that will satisfy coaches, players and spectators alike.

A big element of the brand of rugby that BHS teams intend to play is a thinking component based on research on critical success factors for an effective execution of the object of the game. The mental skill content will include, among other things, strategies for developing individual and team decision-making abilities, as well as enhancing strategic acumen and general thinking skills.

A scientific approach to conditioning and nutrition is intended to ensure that the athletes are fit, strong and healthy young people, adequately prepared to perform at the highest level. In this regard, we have already engaged the University of Canterbury School of Sport and Physical Education, to seek significant input from their Strength & Conditioning, Coaching, Performance Analysis and Sport Management students and staff. Necessary assistance will further be sought every year from the Canterbury Rugby Football Union and any other individuals and institutions that can provide capacity building opportunities for coaches and managers to ensure that delivery of the central components of the RDP are of consistently high standards.

Participants of the RDP are BHS students first and foremost, so particular emphasis is placed on supporting and adding impetus to improving academic achievement of players, while satisfactory school attendance is mandatory. We will further encourage players to embrace and understand the philosophy that advocates that academic diligence and success on the sport field go hand-in-hand. To this end each player will be assisted to formulate a holistic Personal Growth Plan, with the purpose of providing clarity of objective and strategy for academic pursuit as well as in other spheres of endeavour.

Opportunities to contribute to the greater community too, through outreach excursions, will be pursued every year whilst the integration of the BHS International Rugby Programme players in our teams serves to celebrate the diverse nature of our splendid school. Because of the strong social foundation of the RDP, any sponsors or partners from the Christchurch community can be rest assured that their contribution will have a greater reach than merely growing the game of rugby.

A big thank you is extended to all the parents, coaches and managers who were involved with BHS Rugby this past season, and in particular, we are most grateful to Kerry Glynn, Mark Meates and Victor Simpson for the vital role they played in keeping the ship afloat in the first half of the season. We further appreciate the continued support from BRFC and its entire community, and we look forward to further strengthening that relationship whilst we collectively forge a successful future for Burnside rugby. Our gratitude also goes to the Principal, Mr Phil Holstein and the Deputy Principal I/C of Sport, Mr Matt White, for their unwavering belief in the team and for backing us till the very end. We are also indebted to the BHS Sports Office for all the hard work they put in in the background to ensure that our players can get out and play every week. The biggest thank you must, however, go to the 1st XV players for the way in which they kept their spirits up and persevered with a positive attitude in the face of adversity. The role they played in ensuring that our rugby has survived to live another day is immense and they all deserve a double handed pat-on-the-back.

I would like to extend an invitation to any members of the Burnside High School community who would like to get involved in what promises to be an exciting venture - that of growing people through the best sport on the planet. Our ethos of focusing on success traits is intended to ultimately nurture good people, who do good, have a good attitude, and make good choices that will result in long lasting, good overall outcomes in life.

Dali Ndebele

Director of Rugby: Burnside High School