TuksRugby will tackle one of the most critical shortcomings in South African rugby with the launch of its Skills School that will cater for the needs of players as well as coaches.

Current UP-Tuks 1 Head Coach Chris Buitendach and the well-known skills specialist Blikkies Groenewald will spearhead the coaching. Groenewald is the current head coach of the Polish national side.

Buitendach is very excited about how drastically the Skills School programs will improve players' individual and positional skills.

"In South Africa, there is a serious shortage of opportunities where players and coaches can improve their skill levels under the watchful eye of specialists in this field. The purpose of the TuksRugby initiative is not only to better equip players and coaches about individual and positional skills but also to expose them to other components such as rugby-specific conditioning programs and the importance of a high work ethic, "said Buitendach.

The TuksRugby Skills School is officially endorsed and accredited by the Blue Bulls Rugby Union and will provide for players in three age groups: 9 to 12, 13 to 15 and 16 to 18.

The Skills School starts on Monday, 2 October at 17.00. The first training session for coaches takes place on Friday, October 13 (Individual and Positional Skills) and the second one-week later (scrums, lineouts, and backline play).

Buitendach (082 739 3654) and Morris Gilbert (083 300 9314 / [email protected]) can be contacted for further details.