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The Western Province Northern Region (in partnership with Up and Under) has started their first two weeks of girls rugby development with purposeful and intense training sessions.
The Northern Region, in partnership with Up and Under Rugby Club, has officially kicked off the 2025 girls' rugby season in the best way possible. As a key developmental hub and Youth Training Centre (YTC) for girls' rugby, this initiative ensures players receive additional high-performance training, opportunities to participate in festivals, and a platform to compete in girls' rugby leagues for school teams.
A WARM Start to the Season
On 18 January 2025, the Northern Region came alive at Parow High School, where Up and Under Rugby Club hosted the first training session of the year. Despite the sweltering heat, a remarkable 64 players turned up, full of energy and enthusiasm, ready to embrace the new season.
The session started off with a surprise Bronco run, which was expected to be completed within seven minutes. Unsurprisingly it posed as a heavy challenge for most who were still shaking off the holiday slump. Not to say there weren't notable players who seemed to be in tip top shape despite the long break from rugby over the holidays, thus setting the tempo for the others. Futher on in the session, the training drills were split up in four stations focusing on four of the fundamental skills; Passing, Tackling, Rucks and Ball Carries.
Coaches and staff worked tirelessly to ensure the session ran smoothly, keeping spirits high despite the blazing sun. The efforts didn’t go unnoticed, and we extend a huge thank-you to everyone involved for setting the tone for an exciting year ahead.
A special shoutout to DHL Western Province Rugby for supplying WXV-branded training equipment and Energade drinks, which kept the players hydrated and fueled throughout the session. And let’s not forget Henties Juice, whose icy treats were a lifesaver, helping the girls cool off and stay refreshed.
Second day of training
The second training session on 25 January 2025 saw an impressive 69 players in attendance, demonstrating the growing enthusiasm and commitment to girls' rugby in the region. Among these, 18 Northern Region players were excused to train with the Western Province High Performance group at Villagers Rugby Club.
With a couple more younger players showing up, the session was a vibrant mix of energy and skill development. The training drills were once again broken up into stations. Players rotated between three stations; Passing, Rucks & ball carries merged with tackling. The session ended off with a broken bronco and last few sprints to get the players up to the fitness standards.
The players were rewarded once again with a fun way to cool off and recover effectively after training—a vital part of their performance journey. Genrously provided by Prop-A-Pool whose contribution is deeply appreciated!
Growth: The Theme for 2025
This year, we’re focusing on a theme that goes beyond rugby: Growth. At the first session, each player was handed a pot plant to take home. The challenge? Care for it, nurture it, and watch it grow.
This simple yet meaningful exercise is about much more than looking after a plant. It’s a reminder of the importance of developing good habits, practicing patience during tough times, and taking care of the things (and people) that matter. We’re excited to see both the players and their plants thrive as the season progresses. Here’s to a year of personal and collective growth, on and off the field.
Saturday Training Schedule
Training sessions will continue at Parow High School on the following Saturdays:
1 February 2025
8 February 2025
15 February 2025
All sessions begin at 09:30 AM and conclude at 11:30 AM.
We’re calling on players from the following age groups to join us:
Juniors (U11 and U13)
Youth (U14 to U18)
Under-20s
Building a Strong Network of Schools
Girls' rugby is flourishing in the Northern Region, with several schools already offering it as part of their sports programs. These schools include:
DF Malan High School
Edgemead High School
Fairbairn College
Bosmansdam High School
Tygerberg High School
Kasselsvlei Comprehensive High School
Bellville Technical High School
Elsies River High School
Excelsior Secondary School
Bellville South Secondary School
President High School
Totius Primary School
Bellville Primary School
Meet the Team Behind the Magic
Up and Under Rugby Club has been chosen as the custodians of the Northern Region, and we’re proud to have an exceptional leadership and coaching team:
Regional Convenor: Viaan Jonker
Assistant Regional Convenor: Theriza le Roux
Our coaches for 2025 include:
U18 Head Coach: Nathan Botha
U18 Assistant Coach: Shamiel Spammer
U16 Head Coach: Regan Petersen
U16 Assistant Coach: Kehan Swanepoel
U14 Coaches: Evile Shuba and Reagan Matthews
Looking Ahead
The first two training sessions have laid a solid foundation for what promises to be an incredible year. The energy, enthusiasm, and determination displayed by everyone involved have set the stage for an unforgettable season. With each session, we aim to build a stronger, more united community of players, coaches, and supporters.
Our next session on 1 February promises to be just as exciting. Let’s keep the momentum going and make 2025 a standout year for girls' rugby in the Northern Region!
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