Newly appointed Uganda Rugby Cranes head coach, Johanne Beukes is impressed about the abundant raw talent at the nation’s disposal.
Addressing the media at his maiden official press briefing held at the Uganda Rugby Union offices at Lugogo in Kampala on Tuesday, Buekes was full of praises for the immense talent that only requires adequate preparations and polishing.
No doubt, there is potential in Uganda but it is all down to developing the right mentality, attitude and preparations through adequate training
Flanked by Uganda Rugby Union president, Andrew Owor, Beukes is in the country for his first 10 days of acclimatization with the Union and players’ set up before he flies back to South Africa.
Owor informed the media about the pending two slots for successful Uganda players who will benefit from the player and officials exchange programme with the South African based rugby power house.
Uganda is blessed to have such a highly experienced and competitive coach. We hope to make the best of him.
Coach Buekes’ Immediate Tasks:
As Uganda is set to play the annual Elgon Cup against Kenya and host the Rugby Afrique 1B tourney (come July 2015), Buekes’ instant target is to assemble a formidable side, one capable of winning silverware with an eminent change in players’ mentality and training attitude.
The Rugby Afrique 1B will involve 6 nations, Madagascar, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Mauritius, Botswana and hosts, Uganda as the former Free State Cheetah’s player echoed.
Players mentality towards training has to change. You can not achieve minus training. I have designed a full training schedule which the players have to adhere to religiously
Rugby Playing Philosophy:
In a bid to have a sound foundation for the Uganda Rugby Cranes, Buekes is conducting several visits to the super 8 clubs, offering assistance (where possible) and identifying potential players.
Buekes is a product of the fruitful partnership between Uganda Rugby Union and Free State Rugby Union.
Last year, the Cheetahs head coach, Naka Drotske and Chairman of the Free State Rugby Referees Society, Albert Mocke visited Uganda before Andrew Owor visited Blomfontein.
It is from such visits, that various discussions partaking the development of rugby in the two nations were reached.
We shall send in two players on recommendation of the coach (Buekes) for further development and enhancement
Owor remarked.
L-R: Uganda Rugby Union President, Andrew Owori, Joe Buekes, Union CEO, Ramsey Olinga and URU Head of Sponsorship and Communication, Kamal Sabuni at the press conference
Who is Joe Beukes?
Full Names: Johanne Beukes
Parents: Gerhard & Marie Beukes
Birth Place: Johannesburg
Education: BA (Ed), UOUS University
Coaching Education: Level A Coaching Course & High Performance Coaching Course
Coaching Experience: Blomespruit High School (1992-1994), Sentraal High School (1995), Collegians Club (2005), Assistant Coach, Cheetahs Voda Cup & U-21 (2009), Head Coach, Cheetahs U-21(2011), Tussen Die Lyne (Line Out Specialist Coach) – 2011-2012, Head Coach Voda Cup & Assistant U-21 (2013), Forwards Coach VodaCup & U-21 (2014)