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Geophrey Sifani Sports Reporter
MATABELELAND Rugby Football Board (MRFB) chairman Theo Weale wants to have many players from the southern part of the country getting into the Sables team as part of Zimbabwe Rugby Union (ZRU) 2019 goal for the Rugby World Cup.

He said this during the ZRU one day rugby sevens Level One coaching clinic that was held yesterday at Hartsfield Grounds in Bulawayo where 25 aspiring world rugby sevens coaches took part.

“We’ve got four years before the next Rugby World Cup and we’re going to put it into use and try to have players even from our side because this is a gradual development.

“We’re happy as Matabeleland board to have such a successful coaching clinic today. This has been our cry for a long time to have a chance to bring rugby to the people and train coaches so that they can in turn produce for the province,” said Weale.

He said the turn out by the participants was a good step for them as they now hope to see change take place in the region.

The coaching clinic targeted school coaches, administrators and players that were recently involved in the Bulawayo Rugby Cup and coaches who are responsible for players’ training and skills development.

“The just ended course will enhance coaching in the young player pathway programme, facilitate proper training and match preparation, teach fundamental rugby skills, and lead sessions that are age and ability appropriate while featuring a game-like approach to fostering player development,” he said.

Weale expressed disappointment on the failure by Gweru, Kwekwe and Kadoma to take part in the coaching clinic.

“They have lost out on many things that could have helped them to bring rugby to people and also attract more players.

“They were not too good or bad during the just ended tournament but this was an opportunity to make corrections on where they went wrong but they failed to turn up,” he said.

The coaching clinic was conducted by Brighton Chivandire who is the ZRU general manager and is a certified World Rugby educator.

The course covered topics that included the basics of rugby and techniques.