The eloquent exposition by Pretoria Boys’ High School of its position on sport, and rugby in particular, that has been doing the rounds in social media has, for me, put a lot of things into perspective.
It is an open letter to old boys and parents who have been making a lot of noise about the school’s first rugby team having a poor run of results this season.
It’s sad that it has been necessary to make such a statement in the first place, of course, but, as the writer concedes, rugby results are a powerful marketing tool for a school, and old boys demand success.
The fact that this is just the way it is doesn’t make it right.
I have often called for a way of judging schools according to the things that truly count.
I remember writing in this space a few years ago about a Joburg school that was experiencing the same challenges.
I pointed out the many areas in which it was world class - despite its having a first rugby team that year who couldn’t play.
It’s no surprise that Pretoria’s communication cites an almost identical list of aspects.
That’s what happens at schools like these - whatever they do they try to do well, and because of dedicated teachers and talented pupils they get results.
I’m not familiar with what goes on at Pretoria Boys’ High, but I absolutely believe them when they say they believe in helping every boy at the school become the best that he can be, in whatever he decides to do.
While I agree with the author of the letter that school sport rankings are a bit dodgy, he is quite right to point out that the school features in the top five nationally in a host of sporting activities.
There can be many reasons why a first rugby team loses games, but often it comes down to two things: coaching and talent.
And, those with experience tell me, there’s often also an inexplicable run of sheer bad luck, poor refereeing decisions and excellent opponents that somehow conspire against you even when your players are good and the coach is doing all he can to get on the winning track.
There’s nothing wrong with the coaching at Pretoria. The same coaches have produced winning teams, and the players are probably as good as those who have preceded them.
It comes down, as it almost always does these days, to ethics and values.
I’m going on about one school, I know, but their circumstances are common to many others.
There are schools that have decided not to go the player recruitment route - not to, as the open letter says, “sell their souls for rugby victories”.
In Pretoria, as in many other cities, there are schools that are quite openly enticing talented rugby players through bursaries and other financial incentives. The provincial unions are often involved - they have professional teams to supply with future players - and even player’s agents.
Competing has become almost impossible for schools that don’t have the means to offer such incentives, or which have made a conscious decision that they don’t believe it’s educationally accountable to go that route.
There will always be those institutions that, because of their tradition and reputation, attract top players without having to hand over money, so I’m not saying every successful school rugby team has been bought.
But, in many cases, taking the ethical route will mean your team will lose to others you have beaten in the past.
This is painful for those who demand and expect success, but it is, I believe, the only way to break the cycle in which we find ourselves.
And let’s judge schools by the things that really matter.
Independent Media