JOHANNESBURG. — One of African rugby’s greatest servants Bruce Hobson has decided to retire as team manager for the Zimbabwean Sevens team. Hobson, who is one of rugby’s great characters and has been in the position since 2003, has called it a day after completing his final assignment with the team at the recent Rugby World Cup Sevens in Moscow.
During his tenure, Bruce has taken the Cheetahs to 29 IRB Tournaments, two Rugby World Cups (RWC) and three RWC qualifiers. To add to this, Bruce has also managed the side at over 50 regional tournaments.

Among the awards accumulated over this period are the following: Confederation Of Africa Rugby Champions (multiple winners ), Castle Sevens Tournament Champions (five times in a row), SPAR International tournament Winners (2012), IRB Rugby World Cup Bowl Trophy Winners (2009) and IRB World Series Shield Trophy Winners in Dubai, George and Port Elizabeth as well as IRB World Series Qualifier Winners Hong Kong 2013.

Hobson also has received Zimbabwe’s Administrator of the year award as well.
“Despite having achieved so much with the team, these accolades come at a time when Zimbabwe Rugby has been running in an amateur era. The hard work invested into the Cheetahs by Bruce, his late wife Caroline and the rest of his family was driven by sheer passion for the sport and the determination for the sport to succeed,” a statement from the Zimbabwean Rugby Union said.

“Since the beginning of the year, Bruce had made it clear to the ZRU that he would continue to manage the Cheetahs up until the end of the RWC Moscow 2013. With the sad passing of Bruce’s wife and numerous commitments at hand, Bruce has stuck by his decision to retire.”

Bruce has served in many capacities in his dedication to Zimbabwe Rugby since he completed his playing days in 1996. He has served as Club Captain and Chairman to Old Hararians, served on the Mashonaland Board and the ZRU Executive and served as the President of the ZRU. He has managed the Sables, Zimbabwe Under-21 Rugby and Goshawks Rugby as well as Zimbabwe 7s Rugby.

Beth Coalter, IRB Sevens manager, said it was a pity that Zimbabwean rugby was losing Hobson.
“It is sad for African Rugby that two very strong supporters, who just focused on getting the boys to play to the best of their ability, are lost to the game. Thank you Bruce for all the time and effort you have put into the game.”

The Zimbabwe Rugby Union’s executive will now appoint a new team manager for the post before the middle of August. The Cheetahs are expected to play in the Lusaka and Middelburg 7s in September.

These tournaments will be used as preparation for their next IRB World Series event in Port Elizabeth on December 7-8. — Supersport.com

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