adminmedical aid company, Seed Co, Amanzi Restaurant, JP Security and Velvetea Petroleum are some of the corporates that have jumped aboard the Young Sables ship.
Zimbabwe have been drawn in Pool B of the tournament where they are set to take on Japan in their opening game before facing Georgia and Canada to round up their group stages games.
The Young Sables will be representing the continent for the third consecutive time at the junior tournament having beaten Namibia at home, also for the third time in a row, in the Junior Africa Cup that serves as the qualifiers for the world stage.
Currently the Young Sables are busy with the preparations under the guidance of the technical team led by coach Brighton Chivandire, assistant Godwin “Jaws” Murambiwa and manager Colleen de Jong.
But it is the corporate boost the Young Sables received ahead of their tour to the United States that the Young Sables administration committee believes is a sign of confidence for the companies to the potential future Sables.
According to Under-20 chairman, Aaron Jani, local companies have jumped onto the Young Sables ship chipping in with playing kit, training kit, medical insurance cover and cash among other forms of sponsorship.
“Among the companies that have come to help us are PSMAS medical aid company, Seed Co, JP Security and Velvetea Petroleum who are also among the biggest sponsors we have this year.
“PSMAS have given us full sponsorship thanks to (PSMAS chief executive) Doctor Cuthbert Dube as they will cover us for the whole year in both the JWRT and CAR tournaments.
“They have come to help us with full medical cover for the players starting from the trip to France, the JWRT and the Junior Africa Cup as they have also contributed towards the medical kit.
“Seed Co were part of the companies that we worked with last year and this year they have also expressed interest willingness to be with us as they have come on board with full kit and made sure we are fully kitted,” said the former Sables winger.
Last year the Young Sables finished eighth in the eight-team tournament that was played in Georgia but Jani believes the side will perform better this year due to the preparations they have had.
“This sponsorship is really very important because it shows the willingness of these companies to give to the communities they come from and it is also a sign of confidence in junior rugby in Zimbabwe.
“Such support also makes the boys work hard both on and off the field and given that we are going for the JWRT the support would not have come at a better time.
“We appreciate this support and we believe that it will go a long way in helping the team raise Zimbabwe’s flag high when we travel for the tournament,” said Jani.
So far, the Young Sables have had the chance to work with South African strength and conditioning coach Nico de Villiers, who is also a specialised forwards’ coach.
Prior to the squad selection, the players toured South Africa where they played three friendlies against provincial sides and are also expected to tour France before connecting to the United States.
But before their departure for France, Australian Rugby Union legend and former Wallabies fullback David “Campo” Campese is also expected to work with the boys for a week.
“The boys have had access to specialists in terms of areas we feel needed attention and a lot of resources have gone into this year’s preparations which we are confident will bring us results.
“All these efforts will go to our advantage but will not remove some of our perennial problems like size but they will help us work with our size deficiencies.”
Having been exposed to such big tournaments during his playing days, Campese will also give motivational speeches to the players, mentally preparing the side for the international stage.
Campese is also expected to be the guest speaker at the team’s send-off dinner following a fundraising golf day that will be held at Chapman Golf Course on the 27th of this month.
In France, Zimbabwe are expected to play two friendlies against the Castres Olympique XV and their academy on June 6 and 9 before leaving for the United States
“I also have to give credit to the technical team led by Rick Kershaw as head of technical, head coach Brighton Chivandire and his assistant Godwin Murambiwa for the roles they play in the team and together we have been working so well.
“The working relationship between these two teams (administration and technical department) has been brilliant and we have received a lot of support from the Zimbabwe Rugby Union president and staff,” added Jani.
Zimbabwe JWRT Squad
Backs: Joshua Broomberg, Taku Chieza, Dylan Coetzee, Justin Coles, James Forrester, Stephan Hunduza, Sean Linfield, Michael McIntosh, Garath Meikle, Richard Morkel, Maclean Muhambi, Victor Mushoriwa, Tarisai Ndudzo, Robert Sargeant, Lenience Tambwera.
Forwards: Sean Chigumbura, Simba Chirara, Tawanda Chowe, Tyrone Fagan, Matthew Lawson, Graham Logan, Kuda Makuvire, Matthew Mandioma, Denzel Mupfurutsa, Ian Muza, Thabani Ndaba, Daniel Rorke, Daleroy Sibanda, Michael Sinclair, Joshua Smallbones, Tapiwa Tsomondo, Andries Van Heerden.
Online Reporter