Rugby Club makes smart moves for future
Rugby club hosts sponsors' dinner
The Roodepoort Rugby Club (RRC) hosted a sponsors’ dinner last week. Guests included existing club sponsors such as Spike Lemmer from Rototank, Gary Hemmingway from Powergate Construction, Dennis Armstrong from Interface Digital and Louis Pulzone from LFP Group, as well as several senior executives and owners from some of the West Rand’s biggest restaurants and companies. The event was held at the Hole in One Conference Centre in Ruimsig and featured presentations by the rugby club’s President, Roxy Roux, honorary President Nico Swartz and new head coach, Alwyn Hollenbach.
Hollenbach’s professional rugby career was cut short by injury in 2015 after having played over 100 Currie Cup and Super Rugby games for both the Free State Cheetahs and the Golden Lions Rugby Union franchises.
He joined Roodepoort Rugby Club a few weeks prior to their all-important Pirates Grand Challenge promotion/ relegation game against Marks Park-based JHB Police. A combination of the points scored by all teams (U/19s, U/21s, Thirds, Seconds and Firsts) was the deciding factor as Poorte rose above an average season to cement their place in the premier club division.
Since then the club’s rugby performance has shown a steep growth curve, with all teams recently achieving a clean sweep against the famous Wanderers Rugby Club.
In a Q and A session with guests, coach Hollenbach said the club has a long way to go but is making great strides in developing the club culture and brand of rugby to a standard they can be proud of.
“This club has a rich history, but it’s the future I’m excited about. We are building something special at Roodepoort Rugby Club – the players are buying into it, our loyal sponsors are excited about it and we are now looking at the community to start believing in a club that is embracing a new way forward.”
His comments were echoed by club president Roux, who confirmed that Roodepoort Rugby Club will indeed be moving to the Ruimsig Stadium – ushering in a new era that will not only increase the club’s player catchment area but, also provide an opportunity to build a multi-sport precinct with supporting facilities that offer a home for the community at large.
“Yes, we are rugby people, and that is our first love, but this move – this rebirth at Ruimsig – is about more than one sporting code and our ambitions,” said Roux. “It’s about creating something unique for the people, businesses and organisations of the West Rand. It’s about finally having a base that can be developed into a central hub of sporting and leisure activity for the residents. It’s a long-term goal, but it’s certainly something we feel will benefit everyone here.”
In addition to the move and developments, Roodepoort Rugby Club is also in the process of registering itself as an NPO.
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