Rugby and the ethos of the game play a key role at St Stithians Boys’ College. Our approach to this sport focuses on sportsmanship, leadership and discipline being at the core of participation, whether it is on the stands, on the practice fields or during Inter- school fixtures.
This approach is cemented in an environment which allows all boys to develop to the best of their ability, whether they play Development Squad Rugby (teams C,D and E at age grade and 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th in the Opens), or Performance Squad Rugby (teams A and B at age grade and 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th teams).
The coaching structures promote individual and collective player development with the primary focus being on performance and not winning. Saints Rugby believes that if we perform to the best of our abilities, the result will take care of itself.
We currently operate 22 XVs across the school and the U14E XV is viewed with equal importance as the 1st XV, working on the premise that if we are strong at the bottom, we will be even stronger at the top. We boast a complete playing continuum which allows all players to develop whatever their age, ability or aspiration.
A tireless team of 20 staff, assisted by external skills development and conditioning coaches give direction to the rugby operations and significant strides have been taken over the past two seasons in empowering the players to take ownership of their development and of their team.
The Rugby Excellence Programme, which was launched in 2007, provides selected players with the opportunity to develop their natural talents within the game during the off season. Approximately 130 players have already benefitted from the programme since the end of the 2009 season, and the work ethic and culture of excellence that is starting to develop amongst these players certainly bodes well for 2010.
Saints Rugby provides the opportunity for elite athletes to excel, but also allows recreational players to enjoy and grow as young men through participation in this sport, a game which still values humility, respect and integrity at its core.
With an ever growing level of professionalism developing within the schoolboy game in South Africa, our approach at Saints is the Boys’ College is to stay ahead of the times, whilst holding true to the values of schoolboy sports’ participation. 2010 will provide us all with a wonderful opportunity to take another giant step forward on the Rugby fields of the Boys’ College.
