Aluta Mafu, the new Border Women’s Rugby President, has fixed her sights on tackling the concerning trend of player exodus from the Border Rugby Union in hopes that stemming this tide will entrench Border’s ability to produce Springbok players.
The 29-year-old University of Fort Hare rugby administrator assumed office in July and has been hard at work since, advocating for joint ventures between BRU and the local universities to incentivise player retention in Border.
Mafu is also a firm believer in the power of solid administration and will spend a large portion of the beginning of her tenure, establishing women’s rugby administration structures at club and district level. The rugby innovator believes that waning administration will impact the calibre of players produced.
Mafu said: “I took the role because I saw the lack in women’s participation at administration level and my passion for the game and the value, I bring to it has shown me that women have a role to play.
“We’re starting to make good strides by electing a women’s executive committee so we can address the challenges facing women’s rugby like the player exodus, lack of coaching education and mentorship for female coaches.
“I believe that a women’s rugby Indaba is one of the most important programmes that we need to have as a union that is done in collaboration with the sports department, local schools, the business community, and other stakeholders.
Border Women’s Rugby Head Coach, Nonkosi Sobandla concurs with Mafu saying she will play an invaluable role in the restructuring of women’s rugby in the region especially in addressing the decline of club rugby. Sobandla highlights the importance of reviving club rugby to foster talent and maintain Border’s reputation as one of the provinces with the most potential in rugby.
With a focus on nurturing local talent, Mafu is poised to play a crucial role in revitalising women’s rugby and ensuring the development in the province.
Mafu bring’s years of diverse experience at local and regional men’s and women’s rugby to her position as president, especially having played an instrumental role in the success of the UFH Baby Blues success in their maiden Varsity Cup title this year.
Chase Morison, Head of Rugby at UFH said that Mafu’s deep passion for the game positions her as a dedicated leader and her strong connection to both men’s and women’s rugby, is expected to bring significant positive outcomes for the sport.
He said: “Aluta was born to be involved in rugby, she comes alive when it’s anything to do with rugby.
She has spent the better part of her working career under the guidance of the late Elliott Fana and SA U20 assistant coach Lumumba Currie who have moulded her passion and work ethic into someone who is a positive cog within a high pressure working environment.
She knows hard work; she knows commitment and that is evident in her work at Fort Hare and will be the qualities that make her term as president successful.
“With the FH women’s team winning the shield this year there is no question of where the young talent for Border women’s rugby is coming from and Aluta now directly involved in both camps in the capacity that she is should only yield positive outcomes for women’s Rugby as a whole.”
