Reddam House students shine as SA Junior TouchBoks in Ireland

Five talented student-athletes from Reddam House Bedfordview proudly represented South Africa at the 2025 Atlantic Youth Touch Cup in Ireland, one of the largest and most prestigious youth Touch rugby tournaments in the world.

Capped as SA Junior TouchBoks, Amy Sarah Carr (Grade 12), Xena Alma Pilling (Grade 10), Ashleigh De Bruin (Grade 10), Jordan Connor Johnstone (Grade 11), and Jody Wayne Copeland (Grade 12) competed against more than 40 teams from 12 countries at the University of Limerick, showcasing skill, discipline and teamwork on the international stage.

The Bedfordview students delivered outstanding performances, with Carr helping the Ladies U18 side secure bronze, Pilling playing in the Mixed U18 team, De Bruin starring in the Mixed U20 bronze medal-winning team and earning Player of the Match honours three times, Copeland leading the Mixed U18 team as captain, and Johnstone making his mark in the Mixed U18 division.

Marius Venter, Head of Sport at Reddam House Bedfordview, said the students’ achievements were a testament to the school’s strong sports programme. “At Reddam, we strive to provide top-quality coaching, and all our coaches have competed at either Provincial or National level. Combined with a refined Sports Psychology and High-Performance training programme, our players are given the ideal platform to step up to the next level,” he said.

For Carr, competing at the world’s biggest Touch rugby tournament was a dream realised. “I felt so honoured and proud to be selected for the world’s largest Touch rugby tournament. The highlight was reaching the semi-finals and winning bronze with my team. We worked really hard and came home with something to show for it,” she said.

She added that playing internationally required a new level of intensity: “The game is much faster, and recovery between matches is critical. You also have to make quick decisions and communicate constantly with your team.”

De Bruin, who helped the Mixed U20s to bronze, said being named Player of the Match three times was a career highlight. Pilling, who played her first mixed Touch tournament at this level, described it as a turning point: “The touches were harder and the game had more strategy. We beat Scotland twice, tied with Lebanon, and only lost to Wales by one try; they went on to place second. Being selected for drop-offs in the finals was a huge personal milestone.”

Johnstone described the experience as both exhilarating and humbling. “The pace of the game in Ireland was like nothing I’ve ever felt before. Growing and learning as a team while still having a great time was the highlight for me,” he said. “I was ecstatic to represent the school that gave me a chance, as well as the country so close to my heart.”

The school played a key role in helping the athletes succeed both on and off the field. Carr noted the support Reddam House provided in catching up on schoolwork and tests missed during the tournament.

Stephen Hazley, Executive Head of Reddam House Bedfordview, praised the athletes’ commitment. “These exceptional students embody the Reddam ethos of excellence, perseverance, and global citizenship. We are immensely proud of their achievements and of the maturity they have shown throughout this international journey,” he said.

Looking ahead, the students are already setting new goals. Carr is aiming for gold at the upcoming IPTs in October and hopes for another Atlantic Youth Touch Cup call-up in 2027. Pilling has her sights on the Senior World Cup in 2028 and even the Olympic Games in 2032, when Touch rugby will debut. Johnstone is targeting a place in the 2028 Men’s World Cup, while balancing his academic progress.

Their collective advice to younger players was simple: “Take the first step, believe in your goals, and work hard even when no one is watching.”