Weekly Ramble

Finally, out of the shadows and the doldrums. I can stop whinging and whining for now. What we have said on this blog for years is finally bearing fruit. Beginning with the righting of the season, to the emerging bravery of the technical team. I don't know if they read us, but it is heartening to know that we are on the same page, even if of someone else's book. That the powers that be also took their heads out of the sand and listened to reason also played a role, even though forced. I just wonder when people will stop having personal power plays with the fate of a nation? The last step is finding the rightful place of the Impala floodlit in the season calendar without allowing the IRB to dictate this!

With half my mantra having been taken away from me, I was tempted to cut down my blogging but I think my work is not complete. There are still issues that need to be aired and tackled. Brushing them under the carpet will not work. For instance, those who placed hurdles in the path of the fifteens team must be exposed and brought to answer. They are the same ones right now walking with their a$$e$ highest in the air, feeling very proud of the achievements without having had a positive influence in this outcome. That their plans have been scuttled must be painful for them to watch, but c'est la vie.

Before I drop these and lest we forget, let me enumerate them again. Having the season structured according to the international season ensured several things. A progression through the league, the Super Series, a training period for the National team without club interference and finally, a trained and coached team! Not a hurriedly selected one. The omission of the Sevens players showed that indeed, there is depth and talent in the country as opposed to the public submissions of one union director! And the way the new players or extra players blended into the team showed that it is not the individuals, but the system that works. Without going into too much detail.

My remaining mantras - facility sharing, accountability, transparency, focus on the common good. Those I think will keep me busy for at least another year or so. And with help from my co-bloggers, you will have plenty to keep you coming back.

Do have a good week. Congratulations once more to the team for their achievements so far. Next the CAR cup, but let us not place our expectations too high. The National Sevens Circuit also begins in a few weeks and teams are already preparing for this. Let us watch and see.