From Malawi to Melrose
Austin Lockington talks of his journey from Malawi to Melrose, via Michaelhouse and Stellenbosch on a Sevens Express.
Born in Malawi he went off as a boarder at Michaelhouse, the great school in the Midlands of Natal. It is an all-boarding school for boys and boys in such an institution find great relief in sport. Now he lives in the beautiful town of Melrose on the Scottish Borders – a town famous for its ruined abbey and as the place where a butcher, Ned Haig, started Sevens because he could raise 15 players for a full game. And so he organised a Sevens tournament in 1883, the first Melrose Sevens, 133 years ago.
The 125th edition of the Melrose Sevens will take place on the club's field, the Greenyards, on 11 April 2015, and Lockington will be playing. That is hardly surprising as he has been playing wing, fullback and flyhalf for Melrose in the Scottish premier league. It's a long way from Thyolo in Southern Malawi to Melrose in Southern Scotland.
Lockington tells his story. “Cricket was what we all played in Thyolo, Malawi, but it was quite a rural setting, not especially known for sport, but it all changed for me when I attended boarding school at Michaelhouse in Natal just outside Pietermaritzburg as that’s where I got into rugby. The school is synonymous with rugby, it lives and breathes the sport – we ’d play several games on Saturdays and the whole school would turn out to watch and I instantly loved it, taking to the sport really quickly.
“At 15 years old I was spotted at trials for the Natal Sharks and I was the only boy from the school to be selected for their Under-16 team and continued to play for them throughout my teens. From there I was offered a year’s contract by Western Province Academy in Cape Town and we had a match against the Springbok Sevens, the biggest team in South Africa. It was one of those days when the ball bounced my way and I got a phone call that night to say I’ d been head-hunted for the Springboks’ emerging side to go to Kenya. I was only 19 years old.
“Looking back my rise was so fast and exhilarating it was somewhat overwhelming. My coach suggested a move abroad to broaden my experience and I was delighted to head to Scotland in 2013 and join Melrose RFC. The team was so welcoming, I instantly got on with all the guys and I was immediately struck by the professionalism and knowledge of the players. My strengths lie in being fast, agile and it suits me to play flat as I’m not the biggest guy on the pitch so I use other strengths.
"I play 15s all season then Sevens at the end and I enjoy the space you get on the pitch when there are only seven of you per side. It works for me as speed and agility are my friends. I also appreciate the fan support you get in Scotland.
"Rugby is hugely popular in South Africa and players are heroes over there but because of its high profile there’s a proliferation of franchises, teams and professional sides whereas here I feel there may not be the density of leagues and clubs but the following you get is truly impassioned and that’s what counts.
“Last year was my first experience of playing Sevens at its birthplace in Melrose. It’s the heart of the sport and the town transforms over the weekend so it was a huge buzz. Playing for Melrose RFC is a privilege as we’ re the host, playing in front of a crowd of around 12,000 people. After that first taste I’m definitely looking forward to the 2015 tournament. If we do come up against a South African team it’s no problem for me, no mixed loyalties, I’m one hundred per cent Melrose RFC when the whistle blows.”
Mike Dalgetty, director of rugby at Melrose, RFC says: “South Africa is a great training ground for any young rugby player because of the recognition of the sport the, and so Melrose RFC was delighted to sign a young, promising talent like Austin Lockington. He’s an asset to the side and I’m sure he’ll look forward to showing his South African compatriots how things are done in Melrose.”
Melrose will take on a carnival atmosphere for the duration of this key date in the sporting calendar.
From Janice Hopper
