Crusaders digging SA Schoolboy Talent

[PaarlBok]

Saw this one making head waves over the weekend! :

Sport24

Crusaders target SA talent

2010-05-21 16:37
Email | Print



Todd Blackadder (Gallo Images)


Pretoria - The Crusaders face a storm of controversy ahead of their Vodacom Super 14 semi-final this weekend against the Bulls in Soweto after plans were revealed that they plan to poach South Africa’s best under-16 players.
The South African Rugby Union has confirmed it has approached the New Zealand Rugby Union on an official level to complain about the “horrifying” Crusaders conduct in trying to bolster their youth ranks with South African talent. SARU CEO Johan Prinsloo confirmed to Supersport.com that a strongly worded letter had been sent to the NZRU to complain after the Crusaders Academy approached major rugby schools in the country to try and recruit players at a “talent identification camp” in Pretoria in July.
The story was initially picked up by Business Day Friday, and Prinsloo confirmed to Supersport that a high-level meeting had taken place, where SARU had decided that that the plans were to be met with “anger and disgust”. The news comes hours before the Crusaders hope to upset the odds and beat the defending Super 14 champion Bulls in the first international rugby game to be played in Soweto Saturday.
A letter from the Crusaders Academy has been circulated to schools in SA containing detailed information about a “nationwide talent identification programme”, with the first step in this process being “an all-expenses-paid training camp” for 60 under-16 players in Pretoria from July 5-10.
Players for the camp are expected to be recruited from Pretoria, Johannesburg, Bloemfontein, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth and Durban.
Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder and several former Crusaders Test players are expected to attend the invitation-only camp.
Players would be enticed with long-term scholarship opportunities, whereafter they would graduate into the Crusaders wider training squad, with an eye on representing the New Zealand franchise in the Super 14 and ultimately the All Blacks after that.
SARU said they would also inform the Minister of Sport, Makhenkesi Stofile and the chairman of the Portfolio Committee on Sport, Butana Khompela about the situation and hoped to resolve it amicably. If not, SARU would formally ask SANZAR to intervene.
“We understand that it is a free market and that players will move, but we have had a look at the letter that has been forwarded to principles and sport organisers in schools in the country,” SARU CEO Johan Prinsloo told Supersport.com “We invest very heavily in our young talent with our extensive junior programmes at under 13, 16, 18, 19 and 20 level, not only in terms of money and coaching, but we also cover transport and accommodation costs for these junior weeks. All this money comes from the provincial unions and SARU.
“We know that from time to time individuals will move to other countries, but we think that this time it is pushing the limit a bit too far,” Prinsloo added.
SARU was alarmed with the intent that the Crusaders have in recruiting young talent, and feels it had to act to stop the country being pillaged of its young talent.
“It is the first time that it came at us with such a gale force wind. From time to time we are made aware of these sorts of incidents but this is a very big concern that we felt we had to address.
“We had a meeting and decided to send a letter to the New Zealand Rugby Union, as well as the SA Schools Association strongly condemning this action. We also sent letters to all the schools involved, communicating to them that we have a major investment in the youth in the respective provinces and that it is our responsibility to protect and maintain this talent in South Africa.”
Prinsloo said he hoped the issue would be resolved amicably and that the Crusaders would withdraw their attempts to recruit young talent in South Africa.
“If not, we feel we have a good enough relationship with our SANZAR partners to take it up at SANZAR level.” The letter to the NZRU, excerpts of which were published by Business Day, admits that from time to time individuals are targeted “but what we find frankly horrifying is the systematic and widespread targeting of young players in SA ...”
“We would therefore appreciate it if you could intervene on our behalf with the Crusaders by passing on our concerns and asking them to cancel the expedition. This initiative may be strictly legal, but it disregards the ethos of the game and we regard it as an aggressive and selfish enterprise, paying little regard to the welfare of a Sanzar partner and — because of the envisaged scale — interfering in the rugby operations of a fellow International Rugby Board member,” the letter reads.
The IRB confirmed as well to Supersport.com that it “is aware of the matter” and is “currently gathering facts” before reacting to the Crusaders move.
Prinsloo did say however that while the Crusaders officials may be in attendance with SARU officials at the Super 14 semi-final in Soweto, they would not be approached on the matter, leaving it for a “more appropriate forum.” “Saturday is such a big day historically for South African rugby that we don’t want to take away from it. We believe their representatives are here to enjoy the match and we will address the issue at a more appropriate forum,” Prinsloo concluded.
The move has also been greeted with shock and surprise in Pretoria, with Bulls High Performance Manager Ian Schwartz perplexed as to the reasons behind it.
“It is surprising, especially as we know the Crusaders to already have such strong structures. They are normally one of the best sides in bringing through young talent. In practice it certainly doesn’t sound like the ideal situation. It is the same as someone picking the best vegetables in a corner shop and then standing there and selling it as their own,” Schwartz, the former SA under-20 manager and one of the best youth identification scouts in the country believes. The Crusaders may have some advantage at not playing at Loftus, but their plans to poach SA talent could make the Orlando bullring an even more intimidating place to play.

Myself pretty much involved in our schoolboy rugby, talking to parents and schoolboy laaities, so not surprised at all to see it.

I have qouted two years back about the current Paarl Boyshigh U18 nr 10, Anton Hauptfleisch, handed a Canterbury contract as a u16 laaitie and most Kiwis over at TSf thought I lost my nuts, they still think I do, but nevermind.

NZ: I have read over the last view years from the real rugby lovers , not the white collar lot, that NZ have problems at grass roots level. Mostly because of the modern lifestyle, PC world and mummies dont want their boys to play rugby and obvious the shite cold weather and various reasons.

SA: Listened a few years back around 2004 to the then Bok coach, Jake White talking at Paarl Gyms big brag before interschools the reason why any international coach would want to coach the Bokke. One reason was the quality talent our schoolboy system produce, the weather and a few more reasons. SA schools rugby is the last structure where teams are picked merit based, provincial level not anymore. Now playing for a top rugby school means you have to be the best from 7 teams (thats the amount of U18 teams the top schools deliver). Around my area we have Paul Roos, Paarl Boishaai, Paarl Gim and Boland Landbou so make this 4 x 7 = 28 under 18 teams add the Cape Town souties and you get the picture. Ny view is that any A team player of this four school is a real talent, only 30 players get picked by WP Craven week add in 50% quota and you get the picture. At the end og the day say 10 of the 15 from Paarl Gym had to either go study and playing boarding school rugby at Maties , dhave to priorities between study and rugby and end up out of the rugby net OR he get one hell of a oppertunity to make rugby his career, have a once in a lifetime experiense and end up with a much wider life vision. Thats the kid and parents view of it.

So SARU you vokken made up this bed , you and the ANC and government force qoutas on our game so face the music!

So maybe we should see the Saders riot or poaching or whatever as a blessing not a thread.

My cent worth.

 

[PaarlBok]

Just to paint a little picture here, knowing my local school so well,

Pieter (Slaptjips) Rossouw and his boet Chris played for Paarl Gyms second XV
Marius Joubert, de Wet Barry and Dewaldt Duvenhage havent made WP Craven Week side.

Only Schalkie and Jean de Villiers made the WP Craven Week side from the last Paarl Gym Bokke lot.

Myself always had the view any rugby poacher should target the just outside of Craven Week players from the top schools, they will make a killing in SA rugby talent with probably a few cents.

 

[PaarlBok]

Slowly but surely the truth will come out.

Rugby365

Crusaders boss liberal with the truth?
Tue, 25 May 2010 10:12


(c) Doug Fitz-Gerald

Crusaders Chief Executive Hamish Riach might have been rather liberal with the truth last week when he denied allegations that his franchise was attempting to poach some of South Africa's rising young rugby stars.

On Friday last week rugby365.com reported that the South African Rugby Union had moved swiftly to end the Crusaders' 'poaching project'. Johan Prinsloo, the SARU CEO, said they had been in contact with the New Zealand Rugby Union to put an end to this alleged plan.

But Riach has since denied there was anything sinister about the Crusaders' involvement in what he has labelled a "private sporting academy" in Centurion, near Pretoria.

"This is wrong, they have completely got the wrong end of the stick. To say we are intending to pinch their players is completely untrue," the Crusaders boss told The Press newspaper in Christchurch.

However, rugby365.com can now, exclusively, reveal the full contents of the letter sent to South African schools - in which the Crusaders' true involvement in this supposed academy is revealed.

Speaking of a "nationwide programme of talent identification" in South Africa, the letter also makes it very obvious that participation in the programme offers as reward "post-matric opportunities in Christchurch".

The letter - signed by Jacques van Heerden, the Project Manager, who is seemingly acting as an 'agent' for the Crusaders - also makes it clear that as part of the talent identification, the Crusaders are hosting an "all expenses paid training camp in Pretoria".

In another eye-opening revelation, the letter offers free access to the camp for Sports Master that contributes "five or more players" to the July event and a chance for said Sports Masters to be invited to Christchurch next year.

While Riach insisted that the Crusaders had entered only into a "commercial licensing agreement" with the academy - which also involves sports such as golf, swimming and football - he acknowledged that the franchise would benefit financially from the licensing agreement.

It is also very clear that the Project Manager, Van Heerden, is acting as an agent for the Crusaders. What is not clear, however, is what benefit the project has for South African rugby...

Here is the letter, in full, sent by Jacques van Heerden to leading South African schools:

"17 May 2010; Dear Sir

"Crusaders of New Zealand is planning a nationwide programme of talent identification in South Africa, with the goal of offering this country's most exciting young prospects a variety of opportunities to experience the culture of New Zealand's most successful Super Rugby franchise. A unique programme of elite performance coaching has been developed for young players in South Africa in addition to post-matric opportunities in Christchurch.

"As part of the talent identification Crusaders is hosting an all expenses paid training camp in Pretoria from 5-10 July. Hosted by coach Todd Blackadder and several former Crusaders test players, the camp will feature 18 sessions of world-class conditioning and coaching presented by recognised experts and coaches. Each player will undergo an intensive physiological assessment and receive a detailed report of his results. Career advice and information will be presented by a sport agent, and the entertainment programme will include access to the FIFA World Cup and other premier events.

"Entrance to the camp is by invitation only, and 60 U16 players will be chosen from across South Africa to attend - where they will compete for selection in 2011. In order to identify the group of 60, Crusaders will be hosting assessments according to the following schedule:
*Thursday, 27 May - Pretoria
*Friday, 28 May - Johannesburg
*Monday, 31 May - Bloemfontein
*Tuesday, 1 June - Cape Town
*Wednesday, 2 June - Port Elizabeth
*Thursday, 3 June - Durban

"The assessments will include full anthropometric, strength and fitness testing and physiological evaluation by Players Performance Management. Attendance of the assessments is free and also by invitation only. It is our request that you identify the two best U16 players in each position at your institution and submit them for assessment. The 60 best players from around the country will be selected on the basis of their performance and travel to Pretoria in July.

"Crusaders is offering a unique long-term opportunity for talented players, and I trust we will enjoy your full support in securing their future. The Sports Master from each school that contributes five or more players to the July training camp will be invited to attend and be hosted by Crusaders. Five of these masters will be selected at the end of the camp to travel to New Zealand in January with members of the management team.

"Please confirm your intention to submit your players for assessment before the end of Wednesday, 19 May. Application forms and confirmation of assessment venues will be supplied upon reply, for completion and return by no later than Monday, 24 May.

"Best Regards; Jacques van Heerden; Project Manager."