Newly appointed South African Rugby Football Union (Sarfu) president Brian van Rooyen promised sweeping changes to South African rugby in a bold statement on Friday, the most significant of which will be to abolish the controversial quota system in the near future.
In an assertive address at his first press conference as the Sarfu president, Van Rooyen fired an ominous warning to those reluctant to change.
”Many people want to transform. They just don’t know how. To them we say: ‘Your lesson starts right here, right now’. For the recalcitrant, the unbending, the devious and the racist, either way, we say: ‘There will be no place for you to hide any more in our world of rugby’.”
Rugby at grassroots level will receive special attention — particularly in rural areas — as the new dispensation attempts to right the wrongs of the old regime.
Van Rooyen went unopposed for the presidency after Silas Nkanunu withdrew at the 11th hour during the union’s annual general meeting at Newlands rugby stadium on Friday morning.
”It is a fallacy to believe that transformation is the implementation of a quota system,” stated Van Rooyen. ”While the quota system that was introduced in the early Nineties was a means, one has to accept that it has failed dismally.
”Words such as ‘development’ and ‘quota’ have had negative connotations in the rugby fraternity and are even considered offensive to some,” explained Van Rooyen.
”It is for that reason that we must abolish the quota system immediately and replace it with a proper transformation plan that will ensure the development and enhancement of the game in all communities,” he said.
To this end Van Rooyen plans to revive rugby in rural areas with financial aid, a move that is sure to please the rugby traditionalists.
”Platteland” rugby has long been considered the cornerstone of Springbok dominance in years gone by, but has slowly been eradicated since professionalism.
”Playing opportunities will be provided in order to ensure that the game does not die a natural death in rural areas,” promised the former Transvaal lock. ”These will include competitions such as the Sub-Union weeks, Country District weeks and so on. Greater financial support will be given to clubs in those areas.”
Meanwhile, Natal’s Keith Parkinson also went unopposed for the post of deputy president, after long-standing Ronnie Masson pulled out of the race.
And Border’s Mike Stofile beat off the challenge of Toby Titus for the vice-presidency, while the legendary Morne du Plessis was appointed to the board of directors of SA Rugby. — Sapa
New Sarfu president appointed
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