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Deputy Sports Editor
WELL, the good news is that Sables Chicken have only come in as a silver sponsor and Delta Beverages, through their Zambezi brand, will likely continue as the main sponsor of the Zimbabwe Sevens’ rugby team.
The alternative could have resulted in the Cheetahs’ Academy side being known as “the Sables Chicken Cheetahs” or “Sables Chicken Cheetahs’ Academy”, which, on top of being redundant, are actually ridiculous names.
Although the specifics of the new sponsorship deal are yet to be made public — more so after an unveiling ceremony scheduled for last week was postponed — the man at the centre of the project was more than happy to shed some light into the new Cheetahs’ Academy.
Graham Kaulback has been appointed as coach, with the former Sevens’ international setting his sights on building a bigger local player base. Emphasis on the academy has been put on local talent.
“It’s great that we are starting to establish an academy of sorts, a Cheetahs’ Academy, here in Harare, and we have had guys coming in week in and week out for the last couple of months,” Kaulback said.
“We are still in the first steps and we are looking to build on these foundations.
“Going forward, we want to build depth and build on local depth. The year 2022 is a big year for us, and we are building on that.
“We have the Africa Cup and qualifiers for the Sevens World Cup coming up.”
A lot of work has already been covered since the project started.
“We want to be original, but we are obviously looking at models that are working currently in World Rugby.
“If you look at all the top teams, all the top Sevens’ teams like New Zealand, England, Fiji and South Africa, they all have full-time professionals who don’t even play 15s rugby.
“While our players will continue to play club 15s and Sevens, we are trying to establish a programme where they can get regular training, regular strength and conditioning, and focus on the required nutrition and diet.
“There is a hierarchy of needs we want to address over the next four years, but for now we want to build a foundation.”
He is cognisant of the needs of the game in Zimbabwe and believes this project can start addressing them.
“All the different teams have different types of athletes. If you look at the Fijians, they have a unique type of athlete.
“The South Africans, who are the 2021 Sevens Series champions, they have very similar athletes to those we have here in Zimbabwe.
“We have already started looking at our player profile and our needs within our game.
“We need power, height and speed, and will be developing players according to our game plan, needs and available resources.
“We want to create and have a module that we will follow, creating our own style of play,” he said.
The former Zimbabwe Sevens international is also happy at having been given the opportunity to coach the national team.
“It’s obviously a huge privilege to lead this academy, being someone who played for the Cheetahs from 2009 to 2015.
“It means a lot to me; it’s a huge responsibility and privilege.
“I am really excited about this project and I am putting my all into building a good programme and doing the best I can do.”
Kaulback is currently in Kenya with a 12-men squad for the Kenya Safari Sevens that began yesterday and ends today.
Online Reporter