THE quarter-finals of the 2010 Metropolitan Rugby Boards Trophy start in Windhoek today.
The 19th edition of the prestigious annual schools’ rugby league will feature over 700 players playing in 30 matches for a spot in the semis, and in the national teams’ selectors’ notes. Namibia Secondary Schools Rugby Association (NASSRA) secretary Herman Rust said he expects a blockbuster affair.
‘There’s always a big hype around this event,’ he said. ‘It is one of the best supported sports events in the country. Last year it attracted about 3 000 people. It is very competitive,’ said Rust.
‘As schools prepare to watch and cheer on their respective teams, as partners in sport we are proud to be part of the action and excitement,’ added cup sponsor Metropolitan Namibia’s Retail Executive Rudolph Himarua. The insurance brokers donated N$110 000 for this year’s competition.
Nine of the 13 political regions of Namibia are represented in this year’s edition, including a first-time participant – Ohangwena’s Maurits Devenish Private School in the under 14A category.
The northern regions of the country are relatively uncharted territory for the sport but Rust hopes this will change. He also said traditional football schools have also begun to embrace rugby.
‘They (Maurits Devenish Private School) are the first team from the ‘O’ regions to ever take part. Although they only entered one team, they have done very well. Our aim is that all regions must take part in future tournaments.’
The Cup has in the past provided a competitive platform for athletes at grassroots levels to compete against one another while at the same time nurturing the country’s future rugby stars. In fact 24 of the 26-man IRB Nations Cup winning squad came through the tournament.
‘Jacques Burger and Tinus Du Plessis all played for Windhoek High School in the Metropolitan Cup and Chrisander Botha also played here with Walvis Bay High,’ said Rust.
At 13h00 today, Jan Möhr and Windhoek Gymnasium’s U/14A sides kick off proceedings at Gemsbok Park, while Delta’s U/19D team will tackle Jan Jonker Afrikaner 1 at the WHS Rugby Stadium. Tomorrow’s action starts at 07h30.
