As a lifelong Western Province rugby fan, I’m disgusted at what has happened at the union in recent years.
If the administrative gemors was done with the intent to take the spirit out of the union and the game, then bravo for a job well done.
I’ve always maintained that politics – office politics or whatever – and sport don’t mix. Sport is there for enjoyment.
While making a living out of this form of enjoyment, I’ve seen some mense milk this koei droog over the years.
Kyk hier, I don’t care who the boss is at WP. I don’t care who opposes him for whatever position.
I care about my team. I care about players between the four white lines, I care about winning trophies, sharing a day at the rugby with my family and friends. I care about players caring about the jersey they wear on behalf of us who so dearly love it.
To me, the guys running the show at administration level are there to make sure that everything goes smoothly with my team.
So that we can balance the books, sign the best players, make good business decisions and create an enjoyable environment for ALL involved.
But nowadays whenever people talk WP, they don’t talk Breyton Paulse, Bobby Skinstad, Corne Krige, Bolla Conradie, Robbie Fleck, Jean de Villiers, or before them, Carel du Plessis, Chester Williams, en so aan.
Nee wat, they talk Zelt Marais. They talk Ebrahim Rasool.
And that’s why I was actually over the moon when the South African Rugby Union (Saru) finally decided to stop the nonsense on Tuesday by announcing that they will now run the admin of the union, with Rian Oberholzer at the helm.
I just want to remind administrators that it’s not about you. Long after you’ve been buried, the game will live on. Long after you’ve had your shoes polished by your “subordinates” will there be someone in charge who wasn’t even born at the time when “YOU were at the top”.
Anyway, what’s next?
I don’t know the ins and outs of what Saru can and can’t do during this time.
But from a fans’ perspective, I’d like to see them get a rich business or businessman or woman whose hearts bleed Western Province to rid the union of its debt and has the financial means to make WP great again.
Remember, it’s not Zelt or whoever the administrator is that’s sitting with the skuld at the end of the day, it’s Western Province and that’s what hurts most.
Anyway, this backer has to be given the assurance that rugby people will be employed at administrative level.
When I say “rugby people”, I mean people who put the oval ball before self interest. People who love the game and have the necessary qualifications to make WP better.
When the aim of all involved at administrativelevel is to create a better union, I’m sure there won’t be public fights.
Yes, you won’t always see eye to eye, but at least with WP being die main ding, you will know that if you act in the best interest of the union, there would be no reason for you to defend yourself in the media.
Anyway, these are interesting times.
So come on guys, let’s make WP great again.
PS: As a fan who played rugby and studied journalism and put my time in at UWC to obtain a degree in all things sport to make a difference in this country, I am willing to help in whatever way I can.
Even if it’s behind closed doors…