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Universals prepared for massive Douglas Rugby Club challenge

DANIE VAN DER LITH DANIE.VANDERLITH@ACM.CO.ZA

ON A COLD 10-degree Celsius Tuesday night in winter, most people are home with their families, warm inside, under a blanket, taking shelter from the biting cold outside.

But that is not the case for the Universals Rugby Club who find themselves out on the rugby field at the AR Abass Stadium, training in the dark because the stadium lights don’t work, as they prepare for the upcoming match against Douglas tonight.

Tonight, under the floodlights of Douglas Rugby Club, Universals will take to the field for the 8pm kick-off, ready to give their all. Their love for rugby will fuel their every move, their dedication will shine through every tackle, and their unity will be evident in every pass.

The 137 year-old Rugby Club, is a team filled with love and dedication for the sport. Recently, a couple of new players joined the team led by their captain, Elsheino ‘Bizzo’ Thomas. The team, because of their proud history, puts in immense effort to achieve success on the field.

The ‘Unies’ training sessions take place on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday nights from 6pm to 7.30pm at their homeground, the AR Abass Stadium. There are no lights at the facilities, except for a solitary yellow spotlight far in the distance that provides some illumination. Undeterred by the lack of proper lighting, the players gather under the spotlight, driven by their passion for rugby.

Having already completed 10 out of the 12 games for the season, Universals are now set to face the formidable Douglas Rugby Club tonight. Currently, Douglas sits in second place on the log with Universals tucked in close behind them in third position.

The Unies skipper told the DFA about the team’s determination, saying that they would approach the game against Douglas with a focused mindset. Universals have trained relentlessly, knowing that this match is a must-win, as failing to secure victory would see them slip further down the log, intensifying the pressure on the proud team.

Reflecting on their previous encounter against Douglas, Thomas revealed that they had beaten Douglas. In fact, Universals was the only team to have beaten Douglas in the league thus far, highlighting their strength and resilience. However, Thomas acknowledged that Douglas remained a tough opponent, and their upcoming clash would undoubtedly be challenging.

Looking beyond the Douglas match, Universals have their sights set on the game against the Sol Plaatje University Rugby Club at the AR Abass Stadium next week, realising the importance of maintaining their momentum and securing a spot in the final, scheduled for July 1.

“Everything now depends on what is going to happen after next week,” remarked Thomas. “We need to win this weekend as well as next weekend. Then we will have to see what Douglas does against Kimberley Rugby Club.”

When asked about the challenges of practising in almost total darkness, Universals chairman Romeo Syfer, shed light on the club’s financial struggles and their determination to overcome them.

Syfers explained that the club heavily relied on sponsors and donations to sustain its operations. Travel expenses often had to be covered with their own money, making it a challenging situation for the players.

“We were lucky enough to have three sets of kits sponsored for us, and that really assisted us,” said Syfers, expressing gratitude for the support they received. In addition to sponsors, the club benefited from donations made by Old Boys players and management, who organised fund-raisers, there is also income generated by player and club fees. Despite the financial strain, the Universals Rugby Club perseveres because of their genuine love for the game.

Syfers also acknowledged the assistance provided by the Department of Sport, Arts, and Culture, expressing appreciation for their support during the difficult times. He emphasised that the club was determined to make the best of their situation, keeping their spirits high and playing with unmatched passion.

They inspire not only their fellow teammates but also the community around them.

SPORT

en-za

2023-06-02T07:00:00.0000000Z

2023-06-02T07:00:00.0000000Z

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