Durban teenagers to represent South Africa at the Atlantic Youth Touch Cup
Image: Supplied
Four Durban teenagers will showcase their touch rugby skills on the international stage when the Youth Touch Cup kicks off this week.
Olivia Wells, Demi Vetter, Rebecca Breed and Gianna Gaillard are among the athletes from South Africa to represent at the 2025 Atlantic Youth Touch Cup in Limerick, Ireland, from July 31 to August 3.
The tournament will bring teams from Belgium, Cayman Islands, China, England, France, Ireland, Lebanon, Portugal, Scotland, Ukraine and Wales. Teams will compete across four divisions.
Touch is a game played by teams of six players that promotes the fundamental skills of running, passing, catching, evasion and support play.
Played by participants of all ages and genders, Touch develops basic attack and defence skills in a minimal contact environment.
For Olivia, Demi, Rebecca and Gianna, all learners at Danville Park Girls' High School, it is their first time to make a national team and represent South Africa.
Olivia, 17, a Grade 12 learner, said she was very grateful to have been given this opportunity and a once in a lifetime experience.
"I am very proud of myself for making the under-20s ladies team, but also nervous to be playing at such a high level for the first time," said Olivia.
Olivia started playing touch in 2021 in grade 8, when she didn't know much about the game or how to properly pass a rugby ball.
"I was introduced to the sport in a school setting. I quickly got interested in the game and learnt it quite fast and through lots of training I got better and better.
"I played locally, against other schools and enjoyed the sport. I was then invited to KZN trials and was selected for the team. Since then I have grown so much as a player and have learnt so many new skills," said Olivia.
Olivia said she loves the teamwork that's involved in the game.
"Everyone on the field gets involved in order to make a play successful. It is also a very competitive game which I enjoy and is always interesting to see how different teams play and execute different moves," said Olivia.
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Demi, 16, who is in Grade 11, said she felt privileged to be able to represent the nation at the age of 16.
"It is such an honour and I hope to make South Africa proud. I am excited to be playing touch at such a high level. I am looking forward to spending time with people who share the same love that I have for the sport," said Demi.
Demi said she played for the school's first team in grade 8, knowing very little about the game.
"I caught on very quickly. I got involved in a club that year and was then asked to attend KZN trails. I was selected for the u15A team and had the privilege of captaining the team, and winning gold at the inter provincial tournament," said Demi.
She said she had previously participated in gymnastics for nine years. But stopped due to Covid.
"Hearing that Danville offered touch rugby really excited me. I was very interested to try a new sport and find something to fill the void that stopping gymnastics had created. Claire Maujean and Marty Griffiths, both of whom are my school, club , and KZN coaches, played a huge role in getting me involved and falling in love with the sport.
"Touch rugby is so different to other sports. It requires speed and agility whilst also needing intellect. It is a highly fast paced and strategic game, which is why I love it so much. It is one of the few sports where girls and guys of any age can compete together and/or fairly against one another which makes the sport so unique and dynamic," said Demi.
Rebecca, 15, said she was extremely honoured to represent South Africa at such a young age.
The Grade 10 learner said she was grateful that her school coach, Claire Maujean, had ignited a fire in her and a love for the sport.
"When I was in grade 7 I went to Danville's open day and touch rugby was listed as one of the extra murals. I just knew that this was a sport I wanted to try. It felt so natural and from the first practice I was hooked.
"I really enjoy being able to learn many new things about the sport, but most of all making new friends that have a love for touch like I do. One of my favourite quotes is 'teamwork makes the dream work', which always motivates me knowing they will always have a positive impact on my life, no matter if we're on or off the field," said Rebecca.
16-year-old Gianna said she felt excited, nervous and privileged to represent South Africa at the Atlantic Youth Touch Cup in Ireland.
"It is a great honour to be selected for the under-20 ladies team and be able to demonstrate my talent on this global platform," said Gianna.
The Grade 10 learner started playing the sport two and a half years ago.
"I got into touch rugby at, joined a club and began pursuing it more competitively from there. What started as a school sport became something I'm truly passionate about and committed to, and pursued it at provincial level.
"It challenges me in the best way. The speed and intensity keep me on my toes, and I love how every player plays a crucial role. It's a great team sport that relies on well executed plays and good communication within the team," said Gianna.
SUNDAY TRIBUNE
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Olivia Wells, Gianna Gaillard, Demi Vetter and Rebecca Breed are representing SA at the 2025 Atlantic Youth Touch Cup in Limerick, Ireland Image: Supplied Four Durban teenagers will showcase their touch rugby skills on the international stage when the Youth Touch Cup kicks off this week. Olivia Wells, Demi Vetter, Rebecca Breed and Gianna Gaillard are among the athletes from South Africa to represent at the 2025 Atlantic Youth Touch Cup in Limerick, Ireland, from July 31 to August 3. The tournament will bring teams from Belgium, Cayman Islands, China, England, France, Ireland, Lebanon, Portugal, Scotland, Ukraine and Wales. Teams will compete across four divisions. Touch is a game played by teams of six players that promotes the fundamental skills of running, passing, catching, evasion and support play. Played by participants of all ages and genders, Touch develops basic attack and defence skills in a minimal contact environment. For Olivia, Demi, Rebecca and Gianna, all learners at Danville Park Girls' High School, it is their first time to make a national team and represent South Africa. Olivia, 17, a Grade 12 learner, said she was very grateful to have been given this opportunity and a once in a lifetime experience. "I am very proud of myself for making the under-20s ladies team, but also nervous to be playing at such a high level for the first time," said Olivia. Olivia started playing touch in 2021 in grade 8, when she didn't know much about the game or how to properly pass a rugby ball. "I was introduced to the sport in a school setting. I quickly got interested in the game and learnt it quite fast and through lots of training I got better and better. "I played locally, against other schools and enjoyed the sport. I was then invited to KZN trials and was selected for the team. Since then I have grown so much as a player and have learnt so many new skills," said Olivia. Olivia said she loves the teamwork that's involved in the game. "Everyone on the field gets involved in order to make a play successful. It is also a very competitive game which I enjoy and is always interesting to see how different teams play and execute different moves," said Olivia. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Demi, 16, who is in Grade 11, said she felt privileged to be able to represent the nation at the age of 16. "It is such an honour and I hope to make South Africa proud. I am excited to be playing touch at such a high level. I am looking forward to spending time with people who share the same love that I have for the sport," said Demi. Demi said she played for the school's first team in grade 8, knowing very little about the game. "I caught on very quickly. I got involved in a club that year and was then asked to attend KZN trails. I was selected for the u15A team and had the privilege of captaining the team, and winning gold at the inter provincial tournament," said Demi. She said she had previously participated in gymnastics for nine years. But stopped due to Covid. "Hearing that Danville offered touch rugby really excited me. I was very interested to try a new sport and find something to fill the void that stopping gymnastics had created. Claire Maujean and Marty Griffiths, both of whom are my school, club , and KZN coaches, played a huge role in getting me involved and falling in love with the sport. "Touch rugby is so different to other sports. It requires speed and agility whilst also needing intellect. It is a highly fast paced and strategic game, which is why I love it so much. It is one of the few sports where girls and guys of any age can compete together and/or fairly against one another which makes the sport so unique and dynamic," said Demi. Rebecca, 15, said she was extremely honoured to represent South Africa at such a young age. The Grade 10 learner said she was grateful that her school coach, Claire Maujean, had ignited a fire in her and a love for the sport. "When I was in grade 7 I went to Danville's open day and touch rugby was listed as one of the extra murals. I just knew that this was a sport I wanted to try. It felt so natural and from the first practice I was hooked. "I really enjoy being able to learn many new things about the sport, but most of all making new friends that have a love for touch like I do. 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