Gunners ready to tackle BDF Sharks

CALISTUS KOLANTSHO
Correspondent | Friday April 9, 2010 00:00

Gunners' coach, Neal Gouws told Mmegi Sport this week that the preparations for the encounter have been going well despite the Easter break. He mentioned that they resumed training on Tuesday and that 'the players are looking good'. Gunners will be going into this game after demolishing BRU league debutants, Gantsi Hungry Lions, 15-0 recently. He explained that the five players that they have acquired from South Africa are adapting well socially and they are also feeling that they are part of the Gunners' family. They are Jean Ferreira, who plays Number 2 (hooker), Zirk Buys plays fly-half, Vinc Venter, a full-back, Morene Scheepers (centre-forward) and Frans Venter (full-back). Gouws said the players are also impressed by the achievements of the team in the last season and they are proud to be part of the Gunners.

He said that he will give the players game time and he has already informed them about it.

'I have spoken to them and they are excited about it. They need time to get used to the system of our play and the team must gel together.  The players have accepted them.  We are using a different style from the one that they are used to; so they are still learning our style,' he said.

He stated that their game against Lions was played under bad weather and it was the first time his team played under rainy conditions but that that did not deter them from winning. He pointed out that their aim is to pull a win against Sharks to keep their hopes of retaining the league alive. He explained that the team is getting massive support from the Selebi-Phikwe business community. He further revealed that Gunners have managed to get sponsorship from SP Electrical, Motor Rewind Centre, Phikwe Machine Shop, Gouws Transport, S.E.B, Bamangwato Motors and Watson Construction.

'I am excited about the response and the support that the team is getting. These will pick the team and push it forward,' he said with excitement. Gouws pointed out that Selebi-Phikwe used to be a rugby town and it shows that people are still interested in it. He went on to say that their games after the Sharks game would be played at home until the semi-finals. He said they want people to come out to the games in large numbers and they must be turned into family outings where people can enjoy snacks and music like in South Africa where the sport is of the highest standard.

Gouws mentioned that the sport can attract people from other areas to Selebi-Phikwe and help to inject some money into the local economy. He said they want the sport to involve members of the community because that is the only way it can be appreciated.

He revealed that Gunners have been given a  piece of land by the council behind the Selebi-Phikwe stadium to construct a rugby field and the project needs funding, adding that they are working hard to get it off the ground.