Kudu rugby club invites sponsors

Kudu rugby club invites sponsorsClub needs money to stay afloat Kudu Rugby Club (KRC) urgently needs N$295 100 to ensure its continued existence and competitive participation in the Namibian Rugby Union (NRU) leagues. The chairperson of KRC, Allister Carolissen, told potential sponsors during a presentation of the club's budget for 2018 that there are many costs involved to participate in the leagues.

Carolissen provided a detailed breakdown of the likely income and costs the club will incur for the upcoming season. He listed funds required for playing kits (four sets of home and away kits for the premier and first league teams) at a cost of N$120 000, fees to cover the renting of the field (N$2 500) from the municipality, training equipment (N$32 000) and players' transport fees from Swakopmund (N$15 000) as the most critical items on the budget.

“League activity could possibly start after eight weeks and it takes an expected six weeks to manufacture the playing gear. We need to pay a deposit so that the manufacturer can start with production and have it completed it before the league commences.”

He added that it will be the fourth year that the club will not receive any travelling assistance from the NRU and said there are seven away games scheduled for both teams.

“Travelling, accommodation and food expenditures for the envisioned trips are huge and could cost approximately N$146 600. We will solely rely on funds generated from fundraising events and support received from businesses to grow rugby at the coast.”

Carolissen said the club would try to generate more than half of its N$ 612 100 envisioned budget for 2018 (N$317 000) from gate fees, kiosk sales and by organising a number of planned functions.

“We are looking at initiatives such as raffle booklets, increasing our supporter base, hosting a music concert and could also strike a deal with Club Nitro to generate income for the club. In addition to that we also want to increase the number of quality players and certified coaches at the coast.”

Carolissen added that the club aims to reach the semi-final stage this season, to qualify for the finals in 2019 and to win the Premier League in 2020.

The KRC Premier League team collected 33 log points. The team scored 45 tries, 30 conversions and 17 penalties for a total of 336 points and finished in fifth position last season.

The First League team recorded 24 tries, 17 conversions and 9 penalties for a total score of 184 points and finished in sixth position.

Several Kudu players represented the country. Chryzander Botha was the flag carrier for the club in the national 15's squad. Aurelio Plato, Daniel Bok, Bevan Botha and Chad Plato were called up for duty in the national sevens outfit. Luke Jansen, Lizardo Vos and Chad Plato represented the country at under-20 level at various tournaments.

OTIS FINCK