Coach feels East Rand United is in a better space
As part of the Advertiser’s build-up to the new and highly anticipated rugby season, we again visited the club’s home and training base in Reiger Park to find out how the rebuilding was going.
East Rand United’s senior side coach, Alvandre Maart, has commented that the club’s rebuilding process is in full flight.
He said the scenario at the club looks a lot more positive compared with the beginning of the year when the club was faced with the departure of the bulk of its star players.
“Two weeks ago (early January) I was panicking, but now I’m relaxed,” said the mentor in reference to the shortage of players the club faced, with the first team having fewer than 10 players at the time.
“The club isn’t at a loss with the players who left. The only losses are Tiaan Ramat (scrum half), Waylon Thompson (centre) and Jackie Jonkers (versatile back) because we don’t have replacements for them,” said Maart.
“Other positions, I’m not going to be arrogant, but I think the guys we’ve brought in are better.”
‘The guys’ to whom the trainer was referring are the men chosen by the club to defend the East Rand United name. The new recruits, approximately seven of them, are led by former Vereeniging Rugby Club player Carlyle Hendriks.
Maart and United alike are expecting more players, which will see the club ready to compete come beginning of the season.
United will give their supporters an early chance to get a feel for the club’s brand-new senior side when the Raiders Rugby Club raids United’s home ground, The Graveyard, on February 15.
Kick-off time is unconfirmed, but the gates will be open by 1pm.
That friendly fixture will be followed by another one on February 29. The venue will be announced in due time.
Maart explained that the club’s biggest challenge is not only constructing a new first side, but also ensuring that the rugby fraternity at large understands that East Rand United is not down and out.
“We’re busy with damage control because when Phakisa left, there were rumours that the club doesn’t exist any more, so we – the coaching staff and management – have to make phone calls and invite different guys to come and see that the club is well and running, so we have guys coming back now and hopefully we’re soon going have a full squad.
“We’re working hard behind the scenes.”
