Vermeulen is surprise choice

THE Namibia Rugby Union (NRU) has appointed Danie Vermeulen as the head coach of the senior national team, after talks with former Springbok centre Dick Muir fell through.

The 27-year-old Vermeulen, who is wheelchair-bound, became the youngest ever national coach in post-independence Namibia as he took his charges through their paces for the first time last night. Vermeulen’s appointment runs until the end of February, after which it will be re-considered.To prove his worth, Vermeulen must ensure his charges win the final of the African Cup against Morocco next month.NRU President Dirk Conradie told The Namibian Sport that Muir was out of the picture as he would not be available on a full-time basis.Last week Muir appeared to be on the verge of being appointed as coach of the national side until the Morocco match.”Muir’s agent agreed to our decision that we wanted a local coach as it will serve in the best interest of the country,” he said.Asked about other potential coaches who might have vied for the position, Conradie said Vermeulen was the best in the country at the moment.”He has been successful at club level and has international experience as he played at that level as well.Nobody in the country can match him at this stage,” he said.Conradie said Vermeulen’s salary level will be performance-based and would remain confidential.Several club chairmen had advised the NRU to appoint a local coach, who would be readily available to assist the team.”We have the backing of these clubs in having a local coach and we will see how we can better the situation with Vermeulen,” Conradie said.By choosing a local coach, the NRU will also save money as foreign coaches are usually much more expensive.Vermeulen, who was involved in a car accident that ended his rugby career in 2000, has won two successive league titles with United as a coach.He played 37 matches, including four tests, for Namibia, while he also donned the colours of South African sides such as the Cats and Griquas.He also had a brief spell with French club Dax.He started his coaching career with United as assistant to former Namibian player Sybrand de Beer in 2001, before he took over the reins completely in 2002.He still remains the coach of United.If he succeeds in being appointed national coach after February he will have to give up his club commitments.Vermeulen said yesterday that it was a privilege for him to be given the opportunity to coach the national side.”I did not expect the appointment as I had already concluded that Muir was the man for the job.It came as a surprise indeed,” he told The Namibian Sport.Vermeulen, who has no formal coaching qualifications, said he would use his brother, Gielie Vermeulen, his assistant at United, as his right-hand man for national team.Asked about the approach he will take to coaching in light of his disability, Vermeulen said it would be difficult, “but it makes it more of a challenge”.”It is also a sign of proving people wrong that it is possible for me to do what others can do who are not in wheelchairs,” he said.Namibia suffered several drubbings at the Rugby World Cup in Australia last year.But Vermeulen said he would not ring in the changes.”I will stick with basically the same players and work around them as we have limited time before the final next month,” he said.* Meanwhile, Namibia will plays an ‘Icons’ rugby team in Windhoek on May 6.The Icons will consist of former international rugby greats and ex-South African scrum-half Joost van der Westhuizen will be captain.Namibia’s is also hoping to line up matches against South Africa A, Blue Bulls and Western Province in June.Vermeulen’s appointment runs until the end of February, after which it will be re-considered. To prove his worth, Vermeulen must ensure his charges win the final of the African Cup against Morocco next month. NRU President Dirk Conradie told The Namibian Sport that Muir was out of the picture as he would not be available on a full-time basis. Last week Muir appeared to be on the verge of being appointed as coach of the national side until the Morocco match. “Muir’s agent agreed to our decision that we wanted a local coach as it will serve in the best interest of the country,” he said. Asked about other potential coaches who might have vied for the position, Conradie said Vermeulen was the best in the country at the moment. “He has been successful at club level and has international experience as he played at that level as well. Nobody in the country can match him at this stage,” he said. Conradie said Vermeulen’s salary level will be performance-based and would remain confidential. Several club chairmen had advised the NRU to appoint a local coach, who would be readily available to assist the team. “We have the backing of these clubs in having a local coach and we will see how we can better the situation with Vermeulen,” Conradie said. By choosing a local coach, the NRU will also save money as foreign coaches are usually much more expensive. Vermeulen, who was involved in a car accident that ended his rugby career in 2000, has won two successive league titles with United as a coach. He played 37 matches, including four tests, for Namibia, while he also donned the colours of South African sides such as the Cats and Griquas. He also had a brief spell with French club Dax. He started his coaching career with United as assistant to former Namibian player Sybrand de Beer in 2001, before he took over the reins completely in 2002. He still remains the coach of United. If he succeeds in being appointed national coach after February he will have to give up his club commitments. Vermeulen said yesterday that it was a privilege for him to be given the opportunity to coach the national side. “I did not expect the appointment as I had already concluded that Muir was the man for the job. It came as a surprise indeed,” he told The Namibian Sport. Vermeulen, who has no formal coaching qualifications, said he would use his brother, Gielie Vermeulen, his assistant at United, as his right-hand man for national team. Asked about the approach he will take to coaching in light of his disability, Vermeulen said it would be difficult, “but it makes it more of a challenge”. “It is also a sign of proving people wrong that it is possible for me to do what others can do who are not in wheelchairs,” he said. Namibia suffered several drubbings at the Rugby World Cup in Australia last year. But Vermeulen said he would not ring in the changes. “I will stick with basically the same players and work around them as we have limited time before the final next month,” he said. * Meanwhile, Namibia will plays an ‘Icons’ rugby team in Windhoek on May 6. The Icons will consist of former international rugby greats and ex-South African scrum-half Joost van der Westhuizen will be captain. Namibia’s is also hoping to line up matches against South Africa A, Blue Bulls and Western Province in June.