Flying the junior rugby flag high in Amanzimtoti
We have two major obstacles – sponsorship and a short time to prepare our teams.
by Earl BaillacheForced to stop playing the game he loves and feeling he still has a lot left to give, is the reason why junior rugby is so strong in Toti. Louis ‘Fly’ van Schalkwyk, 43, started coaching some of the Amanzimtoti Youth Rugby Club teams in 2005, before becoming vice-chairman and then chairman in 2012.
“I had to stop playing in 2004 after a serious knee injury and I started coaching at the senior club. In 2005 I tried to revive Toti’s U21s, because for two or three years before 2005 there were no teams.”
Fly was born in Pretoria and did his schooling at Laerskool Derdepoort and Hoerskool FH Odendaal. “I finished high school in 1995 and came to Toti to visit my grandmother for two weeks, which turned into 24 years and counting.”
At school he was a versatile player, filling positions from lock to eighthman. He captained his school teams and played for the first team.
He has attained the Boksmart KZN Rugby Union level one, World Rugby level one and two coaching qualifications, and completed an Investec Advave Coaching Course.
READ ALSO: Amanzimtoti photographer always gets the right shot
Asked what’s the most difficult part of heading junior rugby in Toti, Fly replied: “We have two major obstacles – sponsorship and a short time to prepare our teams. We are in a unique situation where, with the mini U7s to U11s, we have players coming from six to eight different primary schools where they all get coached differently. So we have to bring everyone up to the same level in a very short time.”
And the most satisfying? “My motto or belief is that as long as I can influence one player a year to love the game, then I have succeeded for the season. Having coached for so many years, players I have coached are now married and bring their children to play for the club.”
His highlights as chairman over the years are many and he is proud when any of the Toti teams do well and his players get selected for provincial sides. “Last year we had two teams that won their leagues, the U18s and U15s.
“Through hard work from our coaches and committee, we have grown into the second biggest youth club in the rugby union. We are also the most diversified youth club, representing all walks of life.”
Fly is married to Benita, who is another driving force in the club, and they have two sons – Lynton, 15, whom he has coached into a provincial player, and four-year-old Albert. He lists his hobbies and rugby and deepsea fishing. “For fun I like to relax and whenever possible head out to sea. During the lockdown I have been watching movies and playing video games. I really hope we will get to have a rugby season this year, but at this stage it is not looking like it. Only time will tell.”
READ ALSO: Amanzimtoti gymnast coach strives for excellence during lockdown
How can parents make his job easier? “I have had a good relationship with all of them over the years, so I cannot complain, but I would really like more to get involved in the coaching and management of our teams, and also help us get more sponsorships in.”
Over the years, Fly has coached several representative teams and received accolades:
2007 – KZNJRU U14A manager;
2009 – Durban and Districts U18 assistant coach;
2010 – DRSU U21 manager, DRSUYCA U15 head coach;
2011 – DRSU U21 asstistant coach, DRSUYCA U16 head coach and awarded DRSU senior colours for coaching;
2012 – DRSU U21 assistant coach and DRSUYCA U18 assistant coach;
2013 – DRSUYCA U16 assistant coach;
2014 – KZNRU Youth Duikers U14 head coach; DRSU seniors (Bisons) assistant coach for two matches and awarded the KZNRU Youth Duiker blazer for seven years of coaching;
2015 – KNZRU Youth Duikers U15 head coach;
2016 – KZNRU Youth Duikers U16 head coach;
2017 – KZNRU Youth Duikers U18 head coach;
2018 – Sharks Youth Club U16 head coach;
2019 – Sharks Youth Club U14 head coach.
DID YOU KNOW?
Click on the words highlighted in red to read more on this and related topics.
To receive news links via WhatsApp or Telegram, send an invite to 061 694 6047
The South Coast Sun is also on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest – why not join us there?
Do you have more information pertaining to this story?
Feel free to let us know by commenting on our Facebook page or you can contact our newsroom on 031 903 2341 and speak to a journalist.