Jarman shines on European tour

Namibian-born flyhalf Maughan Jarman (19) put on an impressive showing during the recent U19 Arthur Johnson Sport Week tour to France and Italy.

The South African-based touring side played two matches and won both convincingly.

Jarman converted five tries in a 40-10 win in the first match against Co Bere in Marseille, France on 22 September.

Two days later, he scored four tries and added six conversions (32 points) in the second game against Cus Genova which finished 69-10 in Genova, Italy. This performance earned him the player of the match accolade.

The skillful number 10, who completed his matric year after playing for PSG Pro-Ed Academy first team in Swakopmund for three seasons, was noticed alongside five of his schoolmates who were also selected the South African-based U19 Arthur Johnson Sport Week touring side while doing duty for their school at the annual Arthur Johnson Sport Week in Mossel Bay in March.

Point High School hosts the sport week at the Van Riebeeck Stadium and draws hundreds of learners from schools throughout South Africa.



Brothers in arms

Jarman and five school mates – the centre pair of Jandre Robberts and Tayton Saunders, wing Marc Holloway, lock Jivaldo Pienaar and flank JC Labuschagne – joined their South African teammates on their trip to France.

This milestone followed after Jarman recovered from a nasty facial fracture which kept him from playing rugby for three months since April this year.

“(The trip) was a unique and eye-opening experience. Our opponents play a different kind of rugby. Their game is intense, fast and very physical. I learned a lot about different game techniques and gameplay sets,” he said.

Asked about his most memorable rugby match, he points out this year's Standard Bank Namibia Secondary Schools Rugby (NSSR) U19 Super League semi-final against King Price Windhoek Gymnasium. “We came very close and lost by one point (26-27).”

Jarman’s contribution in that match was 16 points off the kicking tee. One week later in the bronze final, Pro-Ed was beaten 27-32 by OK Moria, despite another solid showing by Jarman who scored a try off an individual break.

“Those following in our footsteps (at Pro-Ed) have big boots to fill, but they should not allow anything to get them down. You must work hard and sacrifice to reach the top,” emphasised Jarman.



For the love of rugby

As a staunch All Blacks supporter, his love for rugby started at Ruimte Pre-Primary School in Rehoboth and developed under the tutelage of coach Tony Olivier.

“I am a New Zealand fan, because they have flair and an amazing style of play. They are a very physical and skillful side with a high set of standards and produce minimal handling errors,” he said.

Jarman is looking forward to taking his rugby career to the next level.

“My aim is to represent my country and I am focused on achieving this goal. I signed up at UXi Sport and could play for Western Province while I am based in Stellenbosch next year. I am going to do subjects that will enable me to study mechanical engineering or architecture.”

UXi Sport successfully established rugby institutes in six provinces across South Africa. Their high-performance rugby program is identical throughout the country and provides students with unique opportunities. These include being exposed to world-class coaches, travelling the country on rugby trips and to be noticed or called up by various clubs or unions.