The village of Barrydale, on the border of the Overberg and Klein Karoo regions of the Western Cape, has two rugby clubs that help to unite the local community, writes Mark Keohane.
Stormers coach John Dobson is a regular visitor to Barrydale. He gives easily of his time to support his mate Rick Melvill and the Karoo Art Hotel, but more significantly, both Dobson and Melvill invest energy into the local rugby community.Melvill has a Pied Piper presence in Barrydale. Where he walks, others follow because of his generosity to improve someone’s day, be it in an interaction or an opportunity.
No community is exempt from club rugby politics, not even Barrydale, but the two clubs have embraced the derby element, and they share a field of dreams and the dream that is rugby. Williams, a boxing and rugby coach and a sergeant in the South African Police Service, launched the Barrydale Fight Night at the Karoo Art Hotel. The event raised the first R100 000 towards building a youth sports centre in Barrydale.
‘They play for you,’ said Dobson. ‘They are you. They all come from different backgrounds and suburbs. Many had upbringings mirrored with the challenge of gangsterism within their communities and of so many distractions.’ ‘Rugby gave me a home,’ said Dobson. ‘It gave me friendships that have lasted a lifetime, and it taught me so many things about myself. I learned discipline and I learned so much about life, through sacrifice, through disappointment and through achievement.’
The Stormers coach detailed the humility of his players and the appreciation of the sacrifice that thousands make to buy a ticket and get to DHL Stadium.
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