Hamediehs RFC looks to transform young lives in Vygieskraal

When looking at the junior setup of Hamediehs Rugby Club, it becomes clear that the club carries a duty far greater than just developing players; it’s about spreading a message of hope.

This message stems from the way the club recruits young ballers from some of the most challenging backgrounds and integrates them into a structured, family-like rugby system.

Through this approach, Hamediehs aims to create a pathway that not only develops talent on the field but also builds character and instills discipline off it.

Their mission of hope has also been taken to social media, most notably through the release of a short documentary that highlights the club’s goals and the young lives they impact. The film, titled Ark of Hope, offers a glimpse into how rugby can transform potential into opportunity.

The club is based in Vygieskraal, and naturally, that’s where much of their youth recruitment begins. Among the young prospects are 14-year-olds Diago de Vree and Wade Phillips, both from Vygieskraal, though de Vree has since moved to Silvertown.

The two cousins are living examples of what the club’s youth system stands for. They feature prominently in the Ark of Hope documentary, where they speak about the daily realities of their environment and the hope that rugby gives them to rewrite their stories.

In communities where poverty and crime often claim young lives before they even begin, Diago and Wade’s stories stand out as proof of what structured sport and mentorship can do. The club provides a space that gives them a sense of belonging and fuels dreams of a brighter, more stable future.

Longtime club figure Qaeed Hoffman is one of several homegrown players who serve as an example for the younger generation. Having joined the club during the early stages of the youth program, Hoffman has grown into one of its leaders, a living testament to what consistency and support can achieve.

Former Springbok coach Peter de Villiers also praised Hamediehs’ approach, noting that the club’s focus isn’t just on talent but on potential and on the belief that rugby can mold character and inspire hope where little exists.

Club co-director Ashraf Joseph says the youth system, launched nearly a decade ago, was always about more than rugby.

“We lose a lot of kids between the ages of 11 and 13 to gangsterism.

“From the start, our focus was on how we can integrate these children into a positive structure before the streets take them,” said Joseph.

Joseph says the goal of telling stories like Diago and Wade’s is to show that rugby can be more than a sport, it can be a coping mechanism, a form of escape, and a bridge to opportunity.

“We don’t just want to highlight the challenges, we want to spread the message of hope,” added Joseph.