Mary Waters High School pupil, Lavern Elburgh, has been selected for the Eastern Province Women's Senior Rugby team to play in the South African women's competition.
Mary Waters High School pupil, Lavern Elburgh, has been selected for the Eastern Province Women's Senior Rugby team to play in the South African women's competition.
It all started for the 18 year old Grade 11 pupil when she played trials in Despatch recently. There, the EP coach invited the speedy winger to the practice sessions and immediately included Elbrugh in the side for their clash against Border in their first provincial fixture two weeks ago.
After her reliable performance against Border, which EP won 52-14, she became a regular member of the team. Elbrugh was also in good form against Western Province in their second match three weeks ago, in Cape Town. EP won 46-10, partly thanks to Elbrugh creating some tries with her strong runs and good offloads. S
he was looking forward to their next match against the Blue Bulls, from Pretoria, on Saturday in Port Elizabeth.
Proud Mary Waters principal, Samuel Wessels, said he was very proud that one of his girls had achieved so much in a short space of time. Girls' rugby had been introduced only recently at the school. “I hope that her achievement been selected for the senior EP ladies rugby will encourage more of our girls to participate in sport, especially in rugby," he said.
Elbrugh also excels in athletics and is the current Eastern Cape, Cacadu and Albany 100m and 200m champ. Her best times are 13,04 (100m) and 29,30 (200m).
The strongly built youngster started playing touch rugby with boys in the streets of Scott's Farm, where she grew up, and when she reached high school she realised she could get far if she was serious about rugby.
She went on to play for the Mawas women's team in Standard 7 and then played for Winter Rose.
She said her best game so far was for Winter Rose against Lily Whites earlier this year, when she was voted “Girl of the Match” at Mickey Yili stadium.
She said her dream was to make the SA Women's Rugby team. “I also want to encourage the youth to participate in sports and that If I can do it, they can also achieve it.” she said.
Elbrugh practises three times a week in Port Elizabeth when there is a provincial game coming up. Otherwise, she practises with a friend, at Lavender Valley grounds. Chesley Daniels Independent Journalist
