Young Sowetans impress The Reds

From Soweto to Super Rugby - that is what a group of close to 100 Soweto kids were dreaming of when they were taken through their paces by Queensland Reds players at a public park in Jabulani yesterday.

Ten Reds players took time out from their day off training ahead of the Aussies clash with the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday to visit Soweto where they held a coaching clinic for children as young as four to 17.

At the end of the session, Reds utility backline player James O'Connor took off his purple rugby boots and offered them to any of the youngsters wanting them. Two boys - one 13 and the other 16 scrambled for the boots and each took one in the end.

Little did the 24-year-old know that a mere pair of boots is a luxury for the close to 400 junior and senior players at the Jabulani Rugby Club.

"We have guys here without boots, and it becomes embarrassing when we have to go ask the opposition coaches if we can play our games barefoot," club chairman and founder Thando Mhlongo said.

Despite this and other challenges faced by the Soweto club, O'Connor and the nine other players who joined him for the clinic were impressed by the levels of talent and enthusiasm among the youngsters of Soweto. "It's been so awesome. I really wasn't expecting it to be anything like this - the enthusiasm of the boys and all the talent that's here. It's incredible," said O'Connor.