{"id":182946,"date":"2018-07-26T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2018-07-26T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/germistoncitynews.co.za\/182946\/become-part-of-the-rugby-league-action-3\/"},"modified":"2018-10-01T08:51:01","modified_gmt":"2018-10-01T06:51:01","slug":"become-part-of-the-rugby-league-action-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/sports-news\/2018\/07\/26\/become-part-of-the-rugby-league-action-3\/","title":{"rendered":"Become part of the rugby league action"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Rhino Cup League kicks off on September 1 and the Bears Rugby League Club is looking forward to a season of hard-hitting action.<\/p>\n

\u201cLast year we made it to the semi-finals before being knocked out by just two points.<\/p>

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\u201cThis year we are ready to reclaim the title,\u201d said club chairperson Andries van der Merwe with a smile when he visited the GCN\u2019s offices on Thursday.<\/p>\n

ALSO READ:\u00a0Bears conquer nine\u2019s tournament<\/a><\/h4>\n

The club that makes their home at the Elspark Sports Complex, located on the corner of Heidelberg Road and Egret Street in Elspark, and also plays some of their home matches at Bosman Stadium, in Brakpan, are eager for the new season which has seen the pool of teams grow from eight to 12.<\/p>

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\u201cThere has been some growth in the sport,\u201d van der Merwe explained.<\/p>\n

\u201cRugby league is becoming more popular and we are gaining more exposure through several different channels including government, which is great.<\/p>\n

\u201cRugby league will be included in the next Olympics and I think this is why we are seeing more interest in the sport.\u201d<\/p>\n

Van der Merwe further explained that rugby league is now been introduced into colleges and schools which means younger players are being exposed to the sport.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs a club, we would also like to grow and are hunting for new players to join our team.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur hope is to not only develop fresh talent within our own ranks, which already includes some seasoned players but to also help players to potentially be chosen as part of the national rugby league team that will travel to Australia later this year,\u201d van der Merwe said.<\/p>\n

ALSO READ:\u00a0Tough clash between the Rhinos and Niue<\/a><\/h4>\n

When asked to describe rugby league to prospective players van der Merwe said, \u201cIt is fast-paced and physical from the first to the final whistle.<\/p>\n

\u201cThough it shares similarities with rugby union, I believe rugby league is easier to follow and the supporters can be more involved in the match.<\/p>\n

\u201cLeague is also more social and even though it obviously is competitive, the environment is more relaxed and players and supporters interact after each match and no player is made to feel that their contribution is less important.\u201d<\/p>\n

The team trains on Wednesday nights, starting from August 22, from 6.30pm to 8pm.<\/p>\n

\u201cRugby union will soon be coming to the season\u2019s end so we encourage the guys to come play league and keep up their fitness,\u201d van der Merwe said.<\/p>\n

Interested players can find out more by calling van der Merwe on 076 565 0483, emailing to andries.supey@gmail.com or visiting the club\u2019s Facebook page, Bears Rugby League.<\/p>\n

Before leaving van der Merwe paid tribute to the club\u2019s main sponsor Hennie Stander from Mahestic Pools Germiston, who is sponsoring the club for the third year.<\/p>\n

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The Bears Rugby League Club chairperson Andries van der Merwe is pleased to have the support of sponsor Hennie Stander from Mahestic Pools Germiston.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cAll we can say is thank you for the support Stander gives at every game and for being part of the rugby league culture,\u201d van der Merwe said.<\/p>\n

Hav<\/strong>e a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor)\u00a0<\/span>germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za<\/a><\/strong>or Leigh Hodgson (News Editor)\u00a0<\/span>leighh@caxton.co.za<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>or Kgotsofalang Mashilo (journalist)\u00a0kgotsofalangm@caxton.co.za<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

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Catch-up on more local news with our sister newspapers\u00a0<\/span>Bedfordview Edenvale News<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0<\/span>Alberton Record<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>Kempton Express<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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