Rugby union appoints coaches

THE Namibia Rugby Union (NRU) on Monday announced the appointment of Henk Botha as head coach of the national under-19 rugby team.

The national rugby body also appointed Riaan Jantjies as the team’s assistant coach.Newly appointed NRU chief executive officer Sakkie Mouton said a special selection committee led by himself conducted the interviews for the advertised positions of head coach and assistant coach for the national under-19 team. ‘The selection committee was very impressed with the calibre of all the interviewed candidates. We were especially pleased to see the level of interest and commitment for rugby development in the country,’ Sarel Losper, NRU vice-president, was quoted in the statement. Mouton said the incumbent coach and his assistant will take up their duties with immediate effect, as they prepare to take the national under-19 team to Kenya for the 2010 Confederation of African Rugby (CAR) Championship.John Williams, senior national team coach, was also quoted as saying: ‘Both Botha and Jantjies have a long and respectable history with rugby in Namibia, and we are confident that their knowledge and skills will be of great service to our youngsters.’Williams was also a member of the selection panel.Mouton said these appointments form a critical part of the new direction of the NRU, as crafted in its strategic plan under the leadership of Buks Bock, the NRU president.A strategic action plan is soon to be finalised and implemented. Said Mouton: ‘We are confident in our resolve for change, and will ensure that rugby regains its rightful position in sports circles both locally and regionally.’ – Nampa