/ 12 August 2008

Saru acts on school rugby violence

Saru has contacted its provincial unions to ask them to intervene following recent incidents of violence at schoolboy rugby matches.

The South African Rugby Union (Saru) has contacted its provincial unions and schools sports associations to ask them to intervene following recent incidents of violence at schoolboy rugby matches.

”The very great majority of the thousands of schoolboy matches that take place each weekend go off without incident — however, any incidents of fighting are to be condemned,” said Saru CEO, Johan Prinsloo. ”It is particularly worrying that some of these occurrences appear to have been instigated by spectators rather than players.”

Prinsloo said that the union had written to its affiliated unions and schools sports associations to ask them to contact their members to stress that violent conduct on or around school playing fields was not to be tolerated.

”The unions and schools work hard to promote and develop rugby among our children and these incidents are not reflective of the good work they do,” he said.

”We would particularly urge parents to show restraint on the touchlines and observe the values of fair play and camaraderie that are so central to the game of rugby.”

Prinsloo said he expected the appropriate disciplinary action to be taken against those responsible for incidents of violence. — Sapa