South Africa’s Benjy Van der Byl counts Coleraine coaching as ‘paying it forward’

Having played for the ACT Brumbies and the Sharks, he had come to play for Coleraine Rugby Club as part of the Natal Sharks development programme - 18 years later he is still here; coaching and working with young players, helping to mould and develop

them in the sport he loves.

Prior to lockdown, Van der Byl had been coaching at Coleraine Grammar, working with Coleraine Rugby Club’s youth section as well as working with the Sharks Academy and RDJ Sport - helping to change lives in the same way his was changed.

“I met Richard De Jager, who was the Director of Development for the Sharks Rugby Union when I was a 10-year-old and he introduced me to rugby,” explained Van der Byl. “He then helped me get into Maritzburg college on a full scholarship.

“I was then sent to Australia to play for ACT Brumbies before Richard helped get a contract at the Natal Sharks.

“Once that ended I was looking for something else and he suggested that I should go to Ireland as part of the Development Programme.

“Richard put me in touch with Ricky Huey, who was the Head Coach at Coleraine Rugby Club and he offered me the opportunity to play during my off-season in South Africa.

“So I left Pietermartixburg in August of 2002, wow 18 years ago, it feels like yesterday!”

Having googled Northern Ireland with his family prior to departure, the 21-year-old was unsure what he was letting himself in for.

He said: “Before I left South Africa my Dad and I googled Northern Ireland and Coleraine and it brought up things like bomb scares, shootings, roadblocks and checkpoints and my Dad was worried and asked me if I was sure I wanted to go. When I got here I thought google really has got this all wrong. It was beautiful and friendly.

“Some kids were fascinated with me as they had never seen a brown-skinned person before. It was also very strange for me as I was surrounded by whites and they did not treat me like South African whites did - it was so weird.

“I was given the keys to people’s houses and they said you can come and go as you want and I was warmly welcomed. Then it got cold and wet and then it got really cold and wet.

“When I arrived I stayed on Millar’s farm in Castleroe just outside Coleraine. Cyril and his wife Ann were so lovely, there was always a nice feeling coming into their home and I still help out on the farm to this day.

“There were so many nice, friendly and caring people

“People like Norman and Edith Blair, George Neely and John Patterson were so helpful in getting me settled. They all made me feel so at home and that’s why I love this place.”

Van der Byl enjoyed six successful years playing at Coleraine Rugby Club, making many lasting friendships before moving on to take on a role as the Backs coach for Ballymoney.

However, an injury brought an end to his playing career, leading him to take a different path in the sport.

“I played centre for Coleraine and then Ballymoney for many years,” he said. “I am much older now and a little ‘rounded’ so I will take a few games for the social team in the front row at prop or hooker.

“I stopped playing in 2005 although I did try to play again in 2007 but it was not the same. I had a really big knee operation to repair three of the ligaments in my knee. Unfortunately, the knee has never been right since.

“ I just could not train as hard as I used to and playing at a higher level would have been too difficult, so I called it quits.”

Having continued to develop his coaching skills during his playing career, Van der Byl moved seamlessly into a new role and before long he was working at local and national levels.

“I started coaching when I arrived here, mainly working with the Youth section at Coleraine,” he said. “I also coached at Dalriada school in Ballymoney where I was for around 14 years off and on.

“I have also worked for the IRFU for around 10-12 years as a development officer for a variety of clubs and colleges.

“In 2012 I was the Head Coach for the Ulster Women’s team and I also was Head Coach at Coleraine RFC for a spell. Now I am at Coleraine Grammar where I help Richard Boyd with the rugby program there.”

Being introduced to rugby at an early age helped to shape and transform the life of young Van der Byl and being able togive something back to the sport is something that gives him immense pride and pleasure.

“I love working with young players and being able to pass on my knowledge and experience,” he said. “I find it so rewarding. It’s like taking a lump of coal and moulding and shaping it into a diamond.

“The most important aspect of what I do is going into schools and being able to introduce rugby to kids that have never seen it or played it before.

“For some it can be a way to escape their own troubled life, a way to channel their frustrations and hopefully make them better men.

“I’ve seen players go from boys to young men and then on to become fathers. Rugby is much more than a game, it can change your life, it has mine and I want others to have a chance to change theirs.”

Coleraine Rugby Club have put a particular emphasis on developing their youth system, bringing players through the ranks, a policy that benefits more than the club.

“The youth have somewhat been forgotten in society and with funding getting cut for after school clubs and programs there is nowhere for some of these guys to go,” explained 39-year-old Van der Byl. “Coleraine see it as a way they can help and provide a path for these guys. The club has invested in better facilities, equipment and volunteers and they really want to help.

“I had one lad who came to play rugby this season at Under-12 level and his mum told me that he had been kicked out of every team and sport he joined. However, all the rugby club guys welcomed and changed his attitude and he even got to play on the main pitch at the Kingspan Stadium.

“I would like to see more after-school programs and more funding in the poorer areas of the community. It’s a challenge to get kids off the gaming chairs and onto the pitch in any sport, but I think, both as a society and as parents we need to do more for our kids.

“The gaming devices, phones, tablets etc have replaced parenting, sport, social interaction.

“So if parents want a babysitting service, get your kids down to the rugby club - I know the coaches will kill me for saying it, but at least we can get them off the sofa, beds and chairs.”

Van der Byl has spent lockdown at home in Derrykeighan with his wife Adeline and five children. With restrictions lifting and contact sport returning, it will be back to business for the popular coach.

“I will be continuing my local coaching work as soon as it is safe to do so,” he said. “I am also working with the Sharks Academy and RDJ Sport holding rugby camps and coaching clinics in mainland Europe and England.

“We also are helping rugby unions like the Czech Republic, Lithuania, Latvia and a few others to set up international programmes. We also try to help players get playing opportunities in the UK, Ireland and abroad.

“A lot has happened since I arrived in Coleraine from Pietermaritzburg in 2002. I have a beautiful wife and we will celebrate our 16th wedding anniversary next month. I have five great children and I get to work in the sport I love.

“Being able to work with young people, helping them set and achieve their goals on and off the rugby field fills me with great pride and it’s my way of ‘paying it forward’. For me it’s all about changing the world, one life at a time.”

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