Rovers making a name in South Africa

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There are many local Bayside kids over the years that have played their first game of Footy in a Rovers Jumper.  These days, there are kids in the unlikely town of Bodibe in South Africa also experiencing their first taste of Australian Football wearing the Green and Gold.  This is thanks to a recent donation of Rovers Jumpers to the AFL’s Australian Football program in South Africa.

 

 

The jumpers supplied by Bill Jowett have made their way to the township of Bodibe, 300 km west of Johannesburg in South Africa’s North West Province.  Bodibe and the surrounding towns of Itsoseng and Verdwaal each have an under 13, and an under 16 team, and enough senior players to make one combined side.  Pictured are the Bodibe under 16 team playing on their home ground in September 2004.

 

 

Most of the teams participating in AFL South Africa’s leagues and carnivals rely on donations of footy uniforms and other equipment.  Many players play in bare feet, some in their school uniforms, and all without mouthguards.  Most fields have no grass, and the players sometimes have to help in removing the larger rocks and stones before the games commence.  Given all that, one can imagine the value these players would place on their own set of ?proper? Aussie Rules uniforms.  AFL South Africa and the players themselves are very thankful to the Rovers for their donation.

 

 

The South African senior national team, ?the Buffaloes’ will be competing in the AFL’s International Cup in Melbourne in August this year.  They are looking forward to joining a BBQ at the Rovers clubrooms with some of the other competing teams.  The Bodibe Football Club wish the Rovers well in 2005!

 

Steve Harrison

Executive Officer/Head Coach AFL South Africa

(and former Rovers Junior Player!)

 

www.hamptonrovers.com.au/international