On the side lines -Rugby moms unite
It’s early Tuesday morning , two days into the school holidays, and I’ve packed the cooler, loaded it with sports drinks and protein rich snacks
The sun, shining gently warming us as we rush about with the shouts of “Have you got your shoes?”, whilst rushing out the door.
Why you may ask ?
Because Rugby!
Somewhere between springbok heros and turning 9 , Hamish has joined his first Rugby Club and set himself the goal of becoming the next Springbok scrum half.
This means that our home has become ornimented with everything Gold and green.
We have also invested in Rugby kits, team flags, SA rugby magazines and player books.
And as a previously uneducated rugby household, the Rugby jargon now flies around the house as far as a high flying Rugby ball.
Overnight I’ve gone from someone who only knew a few famous player names to actually understanding all these terms and knowing what positions each team member plays.
Suddenly I find myself uttering the statements ” Nice kick!” Or ” Great pass” and even tried my first spin throw this morning ( Go mom!) as we waited on our coaching session.
How did this begin
Rugby, for Hamish, actually started a few years ago when, as a bright eyed 5 year old, he attended a live Stormers game with us.
Even with very little understanding of the game, the excitement of the stadium, the roar of the crowd, and the rush of players adrenaline as they beat their opponent was enough to capture his interests.
Not long after, he joined Rugbytots and fell in love with the game under the diligence of his coaches Gummy and Henk.
Unfortunately he outgrew rugbytots but the game never left this boys heart and since then, he has waited to join a club to play the game himself.
Rugby Heroes
Over the years, whilst he has been waiting to play, he has had the opportunity to meet so many of his rugby heroes.
At 6, he was a Stormers mascot and ran on with Steven Kitchoff to place the ball at the New years eve game. That smile and love of the game was in his heart ever since, and as this mom, I’ve never been prouder.
Here he also got the opportunity to meet the Stormers players in the change rooms and one of his prized possessions is his signed mascot shirt from the event.
A few years layer he met Cheslin colbe on the set of Expresso and was super excited when Cheslin signed his little bokkie Rugby mascot.
Then last year, whilst collecting the Pick n Pay Rugby cards, he met Damien de allende at an event we were invited too.
But the most special moment was last Christmas morning, when his dreams were made as we joined Rassie Erasmus for his Christmas morning walk and Hamish got his photo taken with the Springbok coach.
Since then he has waited to join a club to play the game himself.
Club rugby
So, it was a no brainer when we saw the advert for a local Rugby Club in our area, that Hamish would join.
Excitement was high as I announced that we would be joining a practice too see if he enjoyed it and wanted to play.
5pm couldn’t come fast enough that day.
Later, sitting on the sidelines, I watched him run onto the field and saw his eyes light up and a huge smile on his face the entire time, I knew that he had finally found his happy place again.
Now every Tuesday and Thursday night we jump in the car and drive to practice where this boy gets to live his best rugby life, learning from his new coaches, while we eagerly wait on the sidelines to see what new skills or plays we are practicing at home all week.
This is my life now !
Ball boy
The second week into club sessions and Hamish was able to be a ball boy for a local game.
Whilst we were excited for him, he held a lot of anxiety at not knowing the game fully and so after a few youtube videos and a crash course in rugby, the day arrived.
Helplessly, I watched him fumble a few times, knowing that as much as I wanted to run onto that field and help him, my place was on the sidelines …..watching him try, fail, learn and win.
Thankfully, a club member who was officially on the field, saw the boys were struggling and got down to their level to explain and show them what to do. In that moment this grown man crouched on the field running up and down with these overwhelmed young boys became my hero.
After the game, as we sat quietly in the car driving home, Hamish loudly announced that this was indeed ” The best day ever!”
My heart was full. ( My numb bum and aching body from 4 hours on the side of a rugby field in the blazing sun, totally disagreed with his statement but my mom heart rejoiced at his excitement and enthusiasm)
Rugby skills clinic
Which brings us to why I’m sitting on the side of yet another sports field on the second day of school holidays instead of taking a Harbour cruise or visiting a fun museum……..
As we homeschool, Hamish doesn’t get weekly rugby training like the kids at school. He only has his club training and I realized early that he really wants to understand the game better.
Instead of watching hours of YouTube or finding games to watch and explain, I knew a more hands on approach was needed, so we booked him into a Team Future rugby holiday skills clinic.
Two days of skills training, where he is surrounded by like minded, rugby superstars for 3 full hours, all focused on learning and developing a strong core knowledge of their game through fun activities with coaches who clearly love the game.
So, here we are on day one ……
I’m currently, on the sidelines watching as my child is calmly tackled to the ground with a grown man yelling and another child trying to, rather aggressively, pry an invisible ball from him.
And somewhere, inbetween the hot sun boiling down on us, the loud voices and the pushing of abilities, a smile has never left his face.
Whether his mom’s nerves will last through this is debatable but for now I’ve been designated the snack bringer and sideline cheerleader.
So, tomorrow I bring a bigger cooler box and my camping chair ready to shout praises and silently cringe whilst wishing we could wrap our kids in cotton wool.
Rugby moms unite!
