Rugby Legends Dan Carter and Naas Botha Rugby Coaching Clinic
Rugby Legends Dan Carter and Naas Botha Rugby Coaching Clinic
Inspiring Excellence. Making a World of Difference
St Stithians College partnered with TR Brand Communications to bring the former triple IRB World Rugby Player of the year, Dan Carter, to our stunning Campus who together with the 2021 RugbyPass Hall of Fame inductee, Naas Botha, and top St Stithians Rugby coaches held a coaching clinic for 250 boys and girls at the Wayne Joubert Field on 12 September 2022. St Stithians regularly promotes the “Inspiring Excellence” hashtag, with our international All Black and Springbok legends most certainly fitting into this category.
Dan Carter, who won the IRB World Cup twice namely in 2011 and 2015, backed this up with the IRB Player of the year award in 2005, 2012 and 2015, provided humble inspiration and specialist coaching skills to a group of passionate and enthusiastic boys and girls. Dan Carter, arguably the world best flyhalf to have played game, currently holds the world record as the leading rugby points scorer. With St Stithians Boys’ College Sports Values being, Selfless, Accountability, Integrity and that Teamwork is not negotiable, Dan Carter not only imparted valuable skills to the players and coaches in attendance but also shared invaluable off the field advice and knowledge which aligned beautifully with our values.
The one takeaway message from Dan, was that team culture isn’t created by time spent in the gym, by trendy drills or even by the knowledge of the coaches. It’s created by the daily actions of the entire coaching staff. It’s created with consistency, accountably and caring that is not just spoken, but demonstrated every single day.
Accompanying Dan Carter on his African Safari was a legend of the South African game, in the form of Naas Botha. Naas Botha won the Currie Cup nine times with the Blue Bulls. Naas also captained the Blue Bulls a record 128 times whilst scoring an astounding 2511 points. Dan and Naas complimented each other both having valuable lessons to impart on aspiring young players citing many practical examples of lessons learned throughout their careers.
Both men, whilst coaching and having been the world’s best during their prime, displayed passion and humility which together with their coaching skill set was a noticeable trademark for the students, coaches, and parents in attendance. Naas reaffirmed that one should use the game to teach players, discipline, trust, honesty, and the value of hard work. Coaches need to show players that they care more about them than their performance. Players will remember it for a lifetime and do the same for players later in their lives. This we are reminded is the true gift of coaching.
It was a truly special day for students, coaches, and parents alike who interacted with and posed for photographs that will last a lifetime with two true legends of the game. St Stithians College would like to thank our Boys’ College Director of Sport, Mr Adrian Carter, Head of Boys’ Rugby, Mr Charlie Post and the events team of Olga Carr and Barbara Beauchamp for their brilliant work behind the scenes to pull off a memorable and inspirational afternoon for all in attendance.
