Alumni Q&A: John Dobson
A two-times UCT graduate (who is currently also doing his Masters in Creative Writing), a former Ikeys player and the foundation coach of the first-ever UCT Varsity Cup side, John Dobson is a huge supporter of this exciting competition.
Having taken the FNB Ikey Tigers to two Varsity Cup finals in three years - and a semifinal in one of the seasons - he was as happy as anyone else with the Cape team's first-ever Varsity Cup title triumph last Monday.
These days, however, his loyalties lie with Western Province - as the Vodacom Cup and Under-21 coach - but he is still a massive supporter of the Varsity Cup; a tournament which gave him his big coaching break.
We tracked him down to talk Varsity Cup rugby, professional rugby and balancing studies and rugby in the modern era:
(1) John, thanks for chatting to us! Let me get right into it: You studied at UCT, played for the Ikeys and then coached them in the first three Varsity Cups... Did you ever leave UCT?!
"I spent some there [laughter]. I first got there in 1989 to be exact! I also enjoyed a few stints playing and coaching abroad - in Portugal and Italy - in between and recently worked at Rugby Roma in the Italian Super 10 as a consultant Director of Rugby. Last year was my last Varsity Cup with UCT and I am now the Vodacom Cup and Under-21 coach at Western Province."
(2) No place like home huh? So, after playing for the Ikeys you decided to stay on and coach the guys... How did that come about?
"I had always been passionate about UCT rugby, and when the opportunity for me to get involved beyond playing I grabbed it. It was not about becoming a coach but wanting to help UCT out and then the coaching bug caught - via the Under-21s and the first team. It's a truly amazing club and has opened doors for many people - including myself."
(3) You have obviously been a part of - and following - the Varsity Cup since its introduction to the South African sporting arena. What has been the general feeling amongst the coaches about the tournament and the standard of rugby on offer?
"The tournament has gotten better each year and as coaches (those participating... those just watching from afar), it's exciting for us to see the structure changing so much. The defences are getting better each year which means a lower scoring game, but it's still helluva exciting. The tournament has grown immensely since 2008 and I'm proud to have been a part of it."
(4) There must be quite a difference coaching at Western Province - where the guys are all full-time, as opposed to the good old days of coaching a Varsity side? What did you do as a coach at UCT to ensure a proper balance between training and academics?
"We always worked around the players' schedules. UCT understands the value of education; I mean these boys are there for an education first and if their academic responsibilities are failing then we would have been failing in our ultimate mission, which is to produce balanced, decent people. UCT coaches have a duty to ensure that the players take their work in class as seriously as their rugby."
(5) After a number of trips to the final, UCT finally managed to secure a victory this season. What does this mean for the Ikeys?
"It was finally their time. Their turn. They had been bridesmaids for a number of years. This time, it was UCT's turn. Hopefully the club can attract some more good players, which - of course - would benefit WP rugby too! I mean, all Varsity Cup champions have come from WP - the Maties and UCT; that can only be a good thing for rugby in the Cape!"
(6) The 2011 Varsity Cup has raised the bar to the max for - not only university rugby but - for university sport. What changed?
"I think it just got bigger - it's certainly come a long way since that first year in 2008. The Varsity Cup just became 'accessible' to everyone: it provided Monday-night entertainment and not only that; every university wants to win. Teams are working harder than ever to win this. It's great for varsity profiles and campus life and will, hopefully, just continue to get bigger... and bigger."
(7) Would you agree that this is a great platform for anyone with aspirations to go professional?
"Yes, definitely! Prior to the Varsity Cup if you didn't make the Under-19 national team you had no chance (in rugby). Now with a tournament of this magnitude, it gives everyone a shot at amateur to professional rugby. A lot of players from the Varsity Cup now have provincial contracts. It's a phenomenal platform - for players, coaches and administrators."
(8) On that topic... do you think there are any players from the 2011 UCT team that will be head-hunted by some professional sides?
"We saw great talent this year, but I'll have to say the likes of Therlow Pietersen, Don Armand and Levi Odendaal should all be in the cross-hairs. Of course, flyhalf Demetri Catrakilis is something special. Not forgetting the captain Nick Fenton-Wells, the kid is going places and I would also say Francois van Wyk the prop, both hookers and Wes Chetty at loosehead had an amazing final. I definitely envisage a number of guys being called up. University level is not the end destination. I'm sure it'll be sad for the UCT coaches to lose these guys; however, it is great for the players and the universities could never take that away from them nor hold them back. In fact, the Varsity Cup is building them up for these sorts of opportunities."
(9) As a former Varsity Cup coach, what were your thoughts on the 2011 FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International?
"You mean apart from UCT finally winning it?! [Much laughter!] As mentioned earlier, the competition was bigger this year, the style across the board was incredible. This year was more entertaining and fun. It was bigger, but not intense. More clubs wanted it, which meant the competition was tough, but UCT did well to eventually win it. I must say the 2011 coaching staff headed by Kevin Foote did an amazing job - they won and also kept the Ikey culture growing... and growing!"
(10) What would you like to see in the 2012 Varsity Cup?
"I'd like to see the competition progress and develop (even) more. However, I feel that clubs buying each other's players spoils it, so I would like to see less of that and possibly getting more accurate on the definition of bona fides students given the potential discrepancy."
By Kate Nokwe
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