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NELSON Mandela Bay star fullback, Cedwyn Grootboom, is packing his bags and heading to the Allstars 7s Rugby Academy in Pretoria this year, where he plans to put his talents to good use.
Grootboom was a matric learner at Cillié High School last year and his skills on the rugby field are what earned him a partial scholarship to the academy.
“We are over the moon. We can’t stop talking about our son’s achievement because we always encourage him to reach for his dreams,” said Cedwyn’s father, Cedric.
However, his parents now also face the daunting task of raising the rest of the tuition fees, which amount to R30 000.
“This could change his life because we come from a community that has been haunted by gangsterism in the northern areas,” said Cedric.
According to him, they first realised Cedwyn’s talent for playing rugby when he was only 10 years old.
And Cedwyn does not plan to give it up any time soon, as he dreams of playing the sport professionally.
He represented Eastern Province in the u/17 team at the seven-a-side tournament in Kimberly in 2017, and in the U/18 Academy Week in Paarl last year. He was also voted sportsman of the year in both 2017 and 2018.
Off the field, he likes fishing, watching rugby and spending time with his family.
“I want to finish my studies and one day achieve my dream of becoming a policeman,” Cedwyn said.
Cedwyn, who hails from Bethelsdorp, plans to study occupational health and safety.
At school, some of his favourite subjects included life orientation, consumer studies and Afrikaans.
“Cedwyn is highly inspired to be a successful professional rugby player. His greatest inspiration comes from our local professional sevens rugby player, Cecil Africa,” Cedric said.
“I’m also highly motivated because I saw boys my age throwing their lives away by using alcohol and drugs and getting involved in gangsterism,” Cedwyn added. He is due to report to the Allstars 7s Rugby Academy in Pretoria on February 1.
Anyone interested in helping the Grootboom family get Cedwyn there can contact Cedric at 063 047 1039 or 083 341 1067.
