Sharks Invest In KZN Youth With New High-Performance Centre
Durban-based rugby side, the Hollywoodbest Sharks, have demonstrated their commitment to providing opportunities for individuals from all walks of life in KwaZulu-Natal with the opening of their High-Performance Centre for junior teams.
The launch event took place near Hollywoodbets Kings Park Stadium on Tuesday and was attended by Sharks management, including High-Performance Manager Michael Horak, John Plumtree’s rugby assistant Neil Powell, former Springboks winger JP Pietersen, and academy coach Lwazi Mvovo.
“The great part about all of this is that all our juniors will be working in one building,” Horak told Sportswire. “The communication around players’ progress, their nutrition, and professionalism – this is fundamentally about developing a professional rugby player. They need to understand the demands of professional sport, how we can instill good habits, and how they can physically prepare daily for the rigors of the game.”
The Sharks have provided opportunities to young men from areas often far removed from urban centers within KZN, such as Pepsi Buthelezi from Hluhluwe in northern KZN, Ntuthuko Mchunu from Pietermaritzburg, and Fezile Mbatha from Empangeni, also in northern KZN. These players are now part of the senior Sharks squad and recently traveled to the UK for their match against Edinburgh on Friday night.
They will then head to Ireland to face Ulster in their final away match before returning for two home games at Hollywoodbets Kings Park ahead of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship knockouts.
“We currently have 11 to 12 players in the SA Under-20 programs and 14 or 15 Springbok players. That is the dream – giving a child from KZN access to our system, and that is so important,” stated Horak.
“The Department of Sport in KZN has consistently supported us over time. Our focus is on how we can nurture local talent, ensure we don’t miss potential, and provide the best opportunities to retain and develop them. I believe there is a wealth of raw talent here, and we must strive to prepare these individuals to become professional athletes and reap the benefits that professional sport offers, whether it be education, experience, or financial rewards – benefits we want to share with as many people as possible.”
The Sharks’ outreach efforts also saw success this past weekend as FNB Varsity College Comets defeated FNB Madibaz to claim the 2025 FNB Varsity Shield trophy in front of a large crowd at the IIE’s Varsity College Durban North on Friday afternoon.
“You witnessed how sport can impact people’s lives. Look at the attendance at our home matches and see how many people are coming to watch,” said Horak.
“People are excited to watch, and many in the streets are talking positively about the Sharks – that is the bigger picture. This is why investing in the youth can bring significant change, fostering brand loyalty and a desire to play for the Sharks, beyond just earning a salary. That is the key reason why these facilities and initiatives are so important to us.”
