Refuge heads to England

ESIKHAWINI Rugby Club flanker Refuge Mlambo jetted off to Tebay, England, on Saturday to join his new club Upper Eden.

The 28-year-old was selected by SARU’s Focus Hotspot Development Programme to go over and coach and play rugby as a part of the exchange program run by SARU.

Refuge started playing rugby at age nine and was hooked ever since.

Over the years he has played at first team level for his school and club, with the highlight of his career in 2002 when he was selected for the U16 KZN development side.

‘I would like to thank the union for choosing me and for giving me this great opportunity to grow as a player and coach.

‘I am excited to learn new things and bring new ideas back to further improve development rugby in our area,’ Mlambo said.

Refuge is the area co-ordinator for rugby development in eSikhawini and KwaDlangezwa and is registered with SARU.

KZN development rugby, in partnership with the English Rugby Football Union, made this trip possible thanks to an exchange programme.

The purpose is to identify KZN development programme coaches with potential so they gain exposure, experience and knowledge to help develop rugby in the rural areas.

Mlambo will be playing for the Upper Eden Rugby Club first team and coaching the club’s junior side, primary schools sevens team and a local school’s first team.

‘We are glad to have him in the programme. The exposure and experience that he will gain is vital for the structures within our club. Whatever he learns overseas, he will share when he returns, which will benefit our team a lot,’ said eSikhawini Rugby Club Chairman and Head Coach Junior Makhoba.

Refuge will return in December.