At the heart of yet another incredible United Rugby Championship season is a team motto that was fulfilled when the DHL Stormers secured a home final.
Prior to kick-off John Dobson’s men had already succeeded in their goal of making Cape Town smile as their stadium was packed to the rafters.
And although the result of that tightly contested grand final did not go their way, the Stormers again highlighted that they were a closely knit unit that had turned its back on boardroom politics while they transformed into the best top tier team in the country.
A true team of the people, their story remains one of inspiration and determination and it also proves that money can buy a lot of things – but not character.
Shortly after the final the Stormers coach again delivered on a pre-season promise he made. This time it was to the two rugby teams of Barrydale that are competing in the Boland league.
Dobson, Karoo Art Hotel sponsor new kit for local clubs
During his last visit to the Klein Karoo town of Barrydale, Dobson said that he would ensure that both the Eagles and Stryders teams would be kitted out in the best rugby attire and, in partnership with the Karoo Art Hotel, this promise was fulfilled.
“I’m really proud to be associated with the Karoo Art Hotel and the Stryders and Eagles rugby teams and to be able to contribute towards the new jerseys. I hope you guys have a great second half of the season,” said Dobson.
“Know that you can bank on the continued support of myself and the hotel and just keep playing rugby, keep supporting the community and keep on supporting the Stormers,” he added.
The new jerseys and socks were utilised during a thrilling derby between the two sides which took place on July 15.
The Stryders won this encounter 23-14.
Cheetah flavour added to the big derby
Just weeks after the small community of Barrydale produced its first Currie Cup winner in Cohen Jasper (a try scorer in his team’s 25-17 victory in Bloemfontein), a distinct flavour of Cheetahs rugby was to the match between the two local teams.
With the annual Harleydale – a Harley Davidson event that attracts bikers from all corners of the country – in full swing, a group of riders performed a customary guard of honour for the local players.
This was met with great excitement and appreciation by the packed stadium – not to mention the players who ran out onto the field through the thundering sound of the machines.
Styders, Eagles bedank Dobson, Hotel vir skenking
Die moeite wat Stormers afrigter John Dobson gemaak het om te sorg dat beide die Stryders en Eagles nuwe rugby uitrusting ontvang, is deur onderskeie klubs geloof.
Dobson het belowe dat hy die spanne sal ondersteun en ook bevestig dat hulle in die toekoms ook op hom kan staatmaak om te help waar hy kan.
“Ons het baie uitdagings en ons spelers kom van die plase af en dit is baie duur om hulle twee keer per week dorp toe te bring vir oefening, maar ons staan sterk en ons glo in wat ons het.
“Ons het goeie spelers, goeie afrigters en dan mense soos Mr Dobson nodig om ons verder te vat,” het Stryders voorsitter Geralds Davids tydens die amptelike oorhandiging gesê.
“Ons visie vir 2023 is om volgende jaar in die streek te kan speel en met die hulp wat ons by mense soos Mr Dobson ontvang is dit moontlik.”
“Mr Dobson het hier ‘n voorbeeld vir die res van die dorp se besighede gestel, help ons asseblief.”
Op sy beurt het die Eagles se waarnemende voorsitter Michael Bron gesê: “Ek wil vir Mr Dobson en die mense wat hierdie truie geborg het baie dankie sê. Dit gaan nie baie goed met ons gemeenskap nie.
“Dit is moeilik om ‘n organisasie bymekaar te hou. Die jeug is nie finansieel baie sterk nie, dit is harde werk om by oefeninge uit te kom.”
Volgens Karoo Art Hotel eienaar Rick Melvill was hierdie maar die begin van die hotel se plan om die klubs te ondersteun.
“Ons is baie trots dat ons op hierdie wyse betrokke kan wees in die gemeenskap en ons sien daarna uit om te sorg dat ons saam met ander besighede in die dorp ‘n punt daarvan maak om meer gereeld ook ons ondersteuning tydens jul tuis wedstryd te wys.”
Beide spanne het ook BLK, Ashley Laatz Personal & Business Financial Planning en News62 vir die bydrae wat hulle gemaak het, bedank.
