31/08/2026
MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRPERSON
Closing the 2026 Season
Saturday, we brought to a close what has undoubtedly been one of the most challenging seasons in the history of our club. While our results were mixed, we end this season proud of the progress we have made and hopeful about where we are going.
Turnaround strategies and transformation do not happen overnight. They require hard work, patience, courage and resilience.
At the beginning of this year, we embarked on a deliberate journey to rebuild our club. We chose to work with those who stayed, strengthen our structures and carve out a pathway towards long-term sustainability, rather than pursue a short and easy road to temporary success.
Despite winning the Overberg Challenge in 2025, we entered this season having to overcome enormous challenges: experienced players leaving, changes within our coaching structures, disappointing results, deteriorating infrastructure and considerable pressure from outside the club.
Yet, inside Callies, we remained focused on our vision. We continued working towards a united player corps, servant leadership, dedicated officials and a club culture in which the badge and community are bigger than any individual.
Results will eventually follow as these structures settle and mature. When they do, we will reap the rewards of the unity, sacrifice and dedication being planted today.
To our supporters
To every loyal Callies supporter who stood with us through thick and thin, through the sunshine and the rain - thank you. A club never forgets the people who remain when it goes through a difficult season. Your presence, encouragement and loyalty gave us strength when we needed it most.
To our players
We commend every single Callies player. You fought hard every time you took the field. Your decision to remain, to represent your town and to continue wearing the green and gold with pride deserves recognition. Our medical bills alone bear testimony to how hard you fought and how often you put your bodies on the line to defend the pride of this club. This season revealed your character and resolve. Thank you for your sacrifice, your contribution and, above all, for choosing Callies.
To our officials and management
To all our officials, coaches, team managers, medics, helpers during home games and members of the Club Executive: thank you for your hard work and commitment. Much of what you have done will never appear on a scoreboard, yet your contribution has laid the foundation upon which the future of this club will be built. Callies appreciates you.
A special word of gratitude also goes to our media team. You have done an outstanding job capturing our journey through photographs and video. Through your work, the story of this season - the victories, struggles, sacrifices and memories - has been preserved.
To our official sponsors
Thank you Overberg Agri, Caledon Casino Hotel, Nissen Holdings Pty - Ltd, Caledon Apteek, FreshStop for your valuable contributions during the season. Thank you also to others who supported our building project.
The future is bright
As we close this chapter, there are already encouraging signs of what lies ahead: our clubhouse is being restored; our stadium is being improved; many Callies players are returning home; our sponsorship base is growing; and the foundations of the club continue to strengthen.
The scene is being set for a new season that we believe will be bigger, better and beautiful. We therefore end 2026 not simply looking at where we finished, but remembering where we started, what we endured, what we rebuilt and where we are going.
"...to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness..." Isaiah 61:3 (KJV)
May God bless every player, supporter, coach, official, sponsors and family connected to this great club. May God bless your families. And may God continue to bless Caledon Rugby Club.
OUR REBUILDING CONTINUES. OUR BEST DAYS ARE STILL AHEAD. CALLIES4Life!
Yours in Callies,
RJ Nissen
Chairperson Caledon Rugby Club
