NEWSLETTERfrom the desk of the CEO

RUGBY AS NEVER SEEN BEFOREIn their preparation for their World Cup qualier games in Madagascar, the Windhoek Draught Welwitschias faced the DHL Western Province and the Vodacom Blue Bulls in Windhoek. Windhoek Draught and FNB were proud sponsors of these two major events.

The nation united behind the Namibian team and was entertained by a spectacular display of homegrown talent. The Hage Geingob stadium in Windhoek was bursting at its seams with excited rugby fans, many dressed in Namibian supporter jerseys to support their team.

The team’s hard work leading up to these preparation matches shown, as they played with determination and condence, resulting in a great victory by beating DHL Western Province 30-28.

Although the Windhoek Draught Welwitchias lost the match against the Vodacom Blue Bulls 34-13, they held a near full-strength Bulls side for much of the match. They had a half-time score of 6-6,

where after the Bulls conceded two tries in the nal ten minutes.

Namibia will take on Kenya, Zimbabwe and Madagascar in the nal African World Cup qualiers in Antananarivo, with the winning nation secured of a place at the 2015 Rugby World Cup in England. The runner-up will still have a nal chance of qualifying after an inter-continental play-off later this year. Their mission for this tournament is to qualify for their 5th consecutive RWC.

Their matches in Madagascar will be played as follows, and will be broadcasted live on Super Sport 9: Saturday, 28 June, 11:00 - vs Kenya Wednesday, 2 July, 11:00 - vs Zimbabwe Sunday, 6 July, 13:00 - vs Madagascar

SENIOR NATIONAL TEAMAs everyone in Namibia knows the following two years will be of vital importance to the Namibia Rugby Union (NRU) as the National team needs to qualify again for the Rugby World Cup 2015 in London.So far the planning and preparation of the players has gone really well, overcoming a few obstacles along the way.The players are in their best physical condition according to the testing statistics from strength and conditioning Coach Michiel Greeff at the BRG gymnasium. "Everyone has been putting in a lot of early mornings and late evenings to get to where we are now. The players have been assisted nutritionally with products from Future Life to ensure that everyone has enough energy during rigorous training sessions and to recover fully for the next day," "Amateur players don't get nearly enough rest time due to everyone working during the day, so recovery and nutrition is vitally important, "said Greeff.He also said that during May, some of the players did VO2 Max testing to calculate how every individual's body is reacting to training and locate build up. "Players are also training with heart rate watches to gauge their training sessions, so there is no place to hide during conditioning sessions," he said. As far preparation for the CAR 1A qualications in Madagascar, the team already played a warm-up game against a XV Club invitational team on the 3rd of May, a game which the Welwitschias won easily on the scoreboard, but not quite on the eld. The performance of the XV came out guns blazing and the National team had to defend like Trojans,

which they did throughout the game to keep the try line clean. This game just proved that the XV team has enough exposure to better conditioning and some of its club players can make the step up to the National training squad. Coaches Elic de Wee and Donovan Paulse of XV did a great job after only two practice sessions, while Uwe Neustadt did brilliant with all the managerial duties. "This group of players will denitely play together again against the National training group, as they are the next wave of players to come through the system and will then provide much needed depth in the player pool," said Neustädt'.

On the 17th of May the Varsity Cup nalists, the PUK Rugby Institute, visited Windhoek for a game against the National training squad.June of course saw the BIG guns visiting in the form of the DHL Western Province and the Vodacom Bulls playing against the National Team which had 90% of the team that will face Madagascar available to compete in these high prole games.

NATIONAL UNDER 20 TEAMThe U/20 team is the future of the NRU and these players need to be carefully monitored and nurtured to become our test players in two years' time.Some of these players have already played test rugby and will be fast tracked within the Senior National Team.Most of the squad are either studying in South Africa or playing their rugby at the Universities of South Africa. These players are exposed to semi-professional setups and rugby of a higher tempo, which will aid their development quicker. The local U/20 players trained together with the Senior Team and formed part of their nutritional program. The "Young Guns" participated at the JWRT in Hong Kong during May. Their preparation included two games against the WP Rugby Institute. Matches were played fast and furious and the visiting team only got the upper hand during the last game when bodies started to tire.

During the opening game against Canada in Hong Kong, the "Young Guns" surprised by beating the favourites. A great start for the team and expectations were immediately raised by everyone back home. Following games were lost by small margins except for the last one against Georgia, where tiring

bodies were exposed after a grueling two weeks. The major concern from the Tournament report was the fact that the team needed more time to prepare properly and play more physical games against maybe older and bigger players. This will be rectied next year and the most promising aspect is that 60% of the team will still be available, most of them forward players.The team still nished in 6th place, two places better than the previous year. So next year a semi-nal spot won't be farfetched, or even a battle in the nals for promotion to the Junior World Cup.

The following two months will be crucial for the National team to get their affairs in order for the challenges that lies ahead.

Every stakeholder in the NRU, from board member to possible sponsor needs to rally together as a unit and support the National Team in their crusade.

The players need to be looked after off the eld so that they can focus on their battles on it.

FINANCIAL RESULTSThe Namibia Rugby Union has shown a remarkable nancial turnaround, after it recently achieved an unqualied audit opinion with regards to its nancial results for the 2012 and 2013 nancial periods respectively.. According to its nancial report for the year ended 31 December 2013, the NRU board and administrative staff ensured consistent adherence to the approved internal control framework by all its stakeholders and maintained adequate accounting records, resulting in an unqualied audit opinion on the nancial statements.

"This is a signicant achievement, especially in view of the material a c c o u n t i n g a n d administrative issues that the current Board inherited from previous administrations. The

Board and management of the NRU are condent that they will continue to maintain the high standards set in order to ensure a transparent governance f ramework and s takeholder condence," said NRU board member Hans Hashagen (Specialist appointee - Finance). The nancial results for the year ended 31 December 2013 showed a surplus of N$115 341 and cash and cash equivalents of N$486 117, which was an increase of N$393 000 on the previous year. Trade receivables at year end amounted to N$281 212, which was a decrease of N$3 627 062 on the previous year, while Trade Payables at year end amounted to N$1 272 153, which was a decrease of N$3 336 611 on the previous year. "The above nancial results indicate the ability of the NRU to manage its nancial commitments within the constraints of available funds; this is due to strict adherence to the approved budget and sound nancial decisions in general," Hashagen said."The strong increase in cash funds and the resulting decrease in trade receivables as well as the decrease in trade payables underlines the NRU's ability to plan ahead and to fund all budgeted nancial commitments," Hashagen added. The CEO of the NRU Sybrand de Beer said that the current NRU Board inherited a nancially troubled union two years ago but managed to turn it around."Two years ago the International Rugby Board (IRB)

wanted to withdraw its funding to the NRU because the union was insolvent. But we managed to turn the situation around through proper nancial management and control," he said. "We have demonstrated through the latest nancial results that the administration of the NRU is based on sound nancial control systems and good governance," he added. According to De Beer, the donation of the National Rugby Stadium to the government and a renegotiation of outstanding debts with Standard Bank, helped turn their nancial position around. "The government took ownership of the stadium, and it now pays the stadium's maintenance, although we have full right of use, while the income generated goes to the NRU's account," he said.The IRB also expressed its appreciation, with its Head of Competitions and Performance, Mark Egan saying the NRU had made a s ignicant improvement. "We are obviously pleased that the NRU has received an unqualied opinion from the accountants for their 2013 nancial year. It's a signicant advance from where we have come from with the NRU when nancial concerns previously hampered its progress," he said. "It's actually quite phenomenal what the NRU board has achieved. They have regained the trust of sponsors while their High Performance and grassroots development is also on track," he added.Egan said the NRU had regained the trust of the IRB."To go from being insolvent to posting a small cash surplus shows signicant progress. The NRU is now on solid ground which gives us condence to give full IRB funding to the NRU," he said. Egan said Namibia currently receives about 120 000 Pounds per year in funding from the IRB, which would increase to about 370 000 Pounds if they qualify for the 2015 Rugby World Cup. He however warned that it would not be easy."Namibia has a very proud history in the game and it has traditionally been the number one union in Africa. But because of it's past problems it kind of stood still while other African unions progressed signicantly. Namibia needs to be very careful going into the Africa Cup Division 1A tournament and must be under no illusions. Kenya is very strong and very ambitious and gave a respectable performance in the Vodacom Cup. Zimbabwe is very strong and Madagascar at home will be very difcult to beat," he said.

DEVELOPMENT under 18 sevens all african youth games

For the rst time since 2011 the National u/18 7's squad competed against their African Counterparts in the All African Youth Games in Bostwana.

This was announced by the Chief Executive Ofcer (CEO) of the Namibia Rugby Union (NRU), Sybrand de Beer after 12 players were selected during trials that were held in March this year at the Hage Geingob Rugby Stadium.

The 12 men strong team competed against top ranked sevens sides playing countries like Botswana, Zimbabwe, Madagascar and South Africa. Mr Patrick Ludick, coach, and Mr Thys Reynecke, m a n a g e r , h a v e accompanied the boys when they travelled to

Botswana and both of them were very enthusiastic about the prospects that lied ahead. Training for these boys started already on Monday the 12th of May in Windhoek at the Hage Geingob Stadium before their departure the next week Monday, 26th.

Addressing the selected players, de Beer wished the boys all the best on behalf of the union. "Good luck to these boys and hopefully this will be the start of

talented youngsters going from schools to Senior National level to one day represent their country at the Wor ld Cup or the Olympic Games," said de Beer.

The Namibian team nished 4 t h a f t e r l o s i n g t o Zimbabwe in the bronze medal match.

DEVELOPMENT MOBI UNIT

An ini t ia l programme was proposed but unfortunately it could not be accommodated. It was asked that clubs send a letter/request to the CEO, Mr Sybrand de Beer or the Development Manager, Mr Henry Kemp, to help with specic needs they might have with regard to their teams or individual players. After struggling to get started the Mobi-Unit nally started to help some of the clubs as requested.

Mr Abe van Wyk, Chairman of Namibian Secondary Schools Rugby (NSSR), requested that the Mobi-Unit assist the National Schools Sides with their training in Windhoek to help them prepare better for the upcoming tournaments in South Africa.

On Monday, 5 May, Roger Thompson visited Erongo Rugby Academy and helped about 25 players on defence coaching.

On Tuesday, 6 May, Jaco Engels, Thinus du Plessis and Henry Kemp helped with the lineouts and scrums and all said that they were happy with the huge leaps in set piece that was executed.

On Thursday, 8 May and Friday, 9 May, the Mobi-Unit assisted the Craven week, Academy and Grant Khomo squads in order to help the future stars work close with the current national team players.

The following coaches were available at the Craven week: Danie Vermeulen, Walter Don, Roger Thompson, Thinus Du Plessis, Jaco Engels, Darryl de la Harpe, Henry Kemp and Michiel Greeff.

Huge thanks to all that are acting positively to this initiative and it is great to hear to positive feedback.

DEVELOPMENT GET INTO RUGBY

During 2013 Rip-Rugby was used to introduce rugby to schools and players new to the game have been implemented in various areas of the Country. Training and education on the IRB values, game knowledge as well as girl participation have been communicated to nearly the whole of Namibia.

Areas reached in 2013 through these programme were, Kat ima Mul i lo, R u n d u , O s h a k a t i , Walvisbay, Windhoek and Keetmanshoop. A total of 16 000km were travelled i n d e l i v e r i n g t h e s e programmes.

During 2013 the need to train educators in the v a r i o u s a r e a s w e r e identied and the union decided to appoint 12 Youth Development Ofcers that can coach and train teachers and volunteers in their areas. With the help of Mr Sollie Duiker of the Namibian Schools Sports Union funds were available to compensate the YDO's so that they don't lose their enthusiasm and they gave their stamp of approval for the GIR programme.

On the 29th of March this year, a training workshop was held where 34 teachers, c o a c h e s a n d volunteers took part. Coaches of Rugby Kids for Christ came out in big numbers to

be educated and trained with all the participants

having had the opportunity to coach their peers to see how they could ne-tune their coaching abilities. Mr Sybrand de Beer, CEO of the NRU, is calling on

more schools to enrol into the programme. “We want to see if we could have 8 000 boys and girls actively in the game at the end of 2014".

Up to date 62 GIR Rugby Kits have been supplied by the NRU to various schools with lots more on order that will be handed to part ic ipat ing schools, thanks to FNB that made this huge venture possible.

Great to hear from CAR's Development Ofcer, Mr Erick Situma, who said he was happy to see the commitment put in by the union.

"Namibia is one of 2 countries in Africa that are always punctual and up to date with reporting events and regularly provides update on the Get into Rugby Africa Facebook page," said Situma.

During 2013 only 12 schools took part in this programme with nearly 4 500 boys and girls taking part. The initial numbers for 2014 looks to be more than 70 schools in total and the numbers are still growing.

REFEREE AWARDSThe Namibia Rugby Referee Society (NRRS) held their annual year-end function on the 30th of November 2013 and the following awards were given out: Referee of the year - Oscar Lambert Sportsman of the year - Jacky Husselmann

Most Improved referee of the year - Eckhardt Marais

Chairman’s Award - Echkardt Marais Referee’s Referee of the year - Jacky Husselmann

ANNUAL REFEREE OPENING COURSEThe NRRS held their annual opening course on the weekend of 7 to 9 February 2014 in Okahandja. The course was well attended by referees all over Namibia. In total 22 referees attended the course, of these 6 were young referees. These young referees started with their training in 2013 already and the society decided to invite them to the annual course to give them more experience.

During the weekend tness tests as well as a law exam were conducted. All referees are required to

undergo tness tests as well as writing the law exam. The law exam is the same exam that the South African rugby referees have written at their annual opening course that was held from the 28th to the 31st of January 2014.

The course was presented by William Steenkamp in conjunction with Danie von Solms and Danie Koen. The three of them also attended the South African course in Cape Town.

The referees who attended the course:Back Row (from left to right):Atman Oberholzer, Robert Bezuidenhout, Nicardo Pienaar, Anthonie de Greeff, Mauritius Louw, William Steenkamp, Harry van NiekerkMiddle Row (from left to right):Danie von Solms, Armand von Wielligh, Eckhardt Marais, Coenraad Moolman, Melvin Esau, Ludwig Orren, Danie Koen, Jacky HusselmannFront Row (from left to right):Zaid Isascs, Peter Pfeiffer, Stefaans Coetzer, Rita Potgieter, Shorty Erasmus, Oscar Lambert, Dihan Theron

MATCH OFFICIATING LEVEL 1 COURSEOn the 14th and 15th of February the rst IRB Level 1 Match Ofciating course for 2014 were held in Windhoek. A total of 9 persons attended the course, 2 of them from outside Windhoek (Tsumeb and Gobabis). The course was held for persons who wanted to start refereeing. The course was presented by Jacky Husselmann, who is an accredited IRB Match Ofcial Educator. More Level 1 courses will be conducted throughout the country during 2014.

For information regarding the courses that still needs to take place,

Jacky Husselmann (chairman@nrrs.com.na

or 0811002130) or William Steenkamp

(sd@mtcmobile.com.na or 061 251717)

can be contacted.

MESSAGES FROM SUPPORTERS

Message from the CEO of the Blue Bulls Company after Saturday's match:

Menere, Wat kan 'n mens op papier sit na 'n naweek en wedstryd soos Saterdag in Windhoek.

Die gasvryheid wat teenoor die Bulls - spelers, bestuur, Bulls Babes en Bulletjie - betoon is deur die NRU, sy borge, Namibia en Bulls ondersteuners; ja die hele Windhoek was 'n onvergeetlike ervaring vir al die Bulls!

Die feestelike atmosfeer op en om die VOL stadion het my hoendervleis gegee. Die manier waarop die Bulls op die veld getoets is voorspel niks goed vir Zimbabwe, Madagaskar en Kenia nie in jul strewe om vir die 2015 RWB te kwaliseer nie. Ek glo julle sal kwaliseer! Die hele geleentheid is professioneel hanteer.

Om name te noem gaan my in die moeilikheid bring daarom wil ek een en ALMAL, wat die Bulls se besoek moontlik gemaak het hartlik bedank. Baie duisend dankies, ons waardeer julle deeglikheid, moeite, toegewydheid en passie vir rugby!

Bulls-Groete

Barend van Graan Chief Executive Ofcer

reading this gives me goosebumps!! proudly namibian!!

gooi kole boys!

Walter Don - Well done Boys..we as coaches are proud of you...let's stay humble as we prepare for our most important objective in our rugby careers

O n s b l y p o s i t i e f e n ondersteun ons span. Hulle kan dit doen . Kry julle bearings bymekaar en maak julle koppies skoon, blaas af die kieste en egos en tackle die oponente!

Baie sterkte aan die Namibiëse span.

Team Forbes whoooop whoooop. All the best I'll be shouting all the way from Namibia. Sure u'll hear the eco

Sterkte..!!!!

good luck to you and the boys woop woop

NAM FLAVA U CAN DO IT BOY'S. See u in England..

Awesome great to see and hear about the development of rugby...maybe in future it could stretch all the way to Katima, all the 4corners of Namibia.Keep up the good work.

Namibia Rugby Union

Dis wat rugby so great maak!