Sportstroom Episode 18: Shaping the Future of Rugby with Bert Moolman
- Karen Scheepers
- Apr 20
- 4 min read
In this episode of Sportstroom, host Drikus welcomes Bert Moolman, the passionate chairperson behind Luiperd Welpie Rugby. With a decade of experience in Leopards rugby and the NWU Rugby Institute, Bert brings insightful reflections on grassroots development, child-friendly rugby structures, and how young players begin their rugby journey.
From Rugbybal to Welpie Rugby
The conversation kicks off with a nostalgic look at kids’ introductory rugby programs. Today, it's often called "Welpie Rugby," a name inspired by the Luiperd (leopard) mascot and other animal-themed youth teams in South Africa.
Welpie Rugby is essentially the first step into the sport, where young children between ages 5 and 8 are introduced to the basic principles of rugby in a fun, non-contact environment. The game is based on tag rugby, where players wear belts with velcro tags that opponents must pull off instead of tackling.
Keeping Tiny Players Focused
Managing a field full of young children who’d rather pick grass than catch passes requires creativity. Bert explains that success lies in keeping groups small, making activities playful, and involving parents directly.
“You’ll be amazed how a child can go from tying a shoelace to chasing the ball within seconds, it’s part of the magic.”
Parents play a key role not just in moral support, but also in coaching, organizing, and logistics. The more parents involved, the smaller the coaching groups, and the better the individual experience for the kids.
“We often rotate parent-coaches between groups, so they’re not just coaching their own child and can learn alongside them.”
Structure, Support & a Shared Coaching Vision
Thanks to the foundations laid by NWU's Department of Sport Science, the Welpie program follows a structured coaching guide developed by professionals like Dr. Ratiff Broodryk and Pieter van den Berg in the early 2000s.
This resource offers coaches a blueprint of age-appropriate drills focused on:
✔️ Listening to instructions (e.g. whistle = freeze)
✔️ Handling and passing skills
✔️ Understanding space and movement
✔️ Early teamwork principles
“If you can teach a six-year-old to react to a whistle and follow a basic rule, you’ve already built a foundation for their entire sporting life.”
80 Kids, One Field, Unlimited Energy
In Potchefstroom, Bert and his team currently manage a group of around 80 players, 40 Grade R and 40 Grade 1 children. These practices can feel like chaos, but with structure, creativity, and well-planned drills, every session turns into an opportunity for development.
“You can’t arrive at practice and decide what to do on the fly, you need a plan, structure, and the flexibility to adapt to where the children are on the day.”
Bert also emphasized that Welpie Rugby aligns with the winter school sports season, typically running from March to June, with about 5–6 practice or match days per year.
The Goal: Fun, Learning, and Confidence
The objective at this level isn’t winning, it’s creating a positive, confidence-building experience for every child. Games are short (5–7 minutes per half), with teams rotating to ensure all players get equal time on the field.
Even though it’s tag rugby, some children instinctively want contact, often diving for a tag or trying to tackle. Coaches gently reinforce the rules and redirect their energy.
“There’s always that one kid who wants to tackle, so we make it a learning moment. Because next year, they’ll transition into contact rugby anyway.”
Community Spirit and Camaraderie
Events like the rugby day at O’Lea Park or the Orifal Day in Viljoenskroon bring together schools from across Potchefstroom and surrounding towns like Klerksdorp and Zanddrift. These aren’t formal competitions, but rather opportunities for kids to play, parents to cheer, and communities to connect.
“Seeing 80 barefoot kids on a frosty field at 7am… it reminds you why you do this.”
Welpie rugby is also a gateway to future stars, helping children learn teamwork, movement, discipline, and focus—skills that stick with them even if they never play contact rugby later in life.
Developing Potential at Grassroots Level
One of the most rewarding parts of coaching, Bert says, is watching the development unfold.
“Some of these kids couldn’t catch a ball in February… by June, they’re passing, running, and smiling like champions.”
Even if some players only bloom later in high school or beyond, early exposure to core rugby skills builds confidence and lays the foundation for growth, both on and off the field.
The Life Lessons Hidden in Tag Rugby
In closing, Bert highlights the mental and emotional growth that Welpie Rugby instills:
Listening skills through whistle drills
Emotional resilience when things don’t go as planned
Team values and respect for coaches, opponents, and themselves
Fun under structure, with rules that mimic the game they might grow into one day
“Even the shy kid who hides behind mom’s leg on Day 1, by the fifth week, he’s the one shouting ‘pass the ball!’”
Sportstroom – Your Weekly Sports Fix
This episode of Sportstroom, presented by The Go-To Guy and hosted by Drikus, brings yet another heartfelt and informative look at local sports development in Potchefstroom.
Stay tuned for the next episode where we dive into the journey of another inspiring sports figure shaping the future of local athletes!
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