Warren Whiteley – Captain Glenwood
Player Profile
Glenwood host Durban High School in a FNB Classic Clash on Saturday. Warren Whiteley captains Glenwood from the openside flank position.
Warren Whiteley was born in Durban on 18 September 1987. He attended Dirkie Uys Laerskool, an Afrikaans-medium school. He decided to move to Glenwood for senior school as the sport, especially the rugby, is more competitive.
Warren is a school prefect and is doing Grade 12 for the second time. He took up an exchange opportunity in September last year and missed his matric finals. The exchange was with Magdalen College in Oxford, England and was taken to improve his rugby. Warren enjoyed his time there as he experienced different playing conditions and was in digs with a player from London Wasps, which enabled him to train with the Wasps Academy.
Warren is playing in his third year in the Glenwood 1st XV and played for the successful KwaZulu Natal Craven Week team last year. Warren says Craven Week was a great experience but also a serious eye-opener. Seeing all the best players in South Africa on show made him realise how hard one has to work to make the top.
Warren enjoys leading and motivating the team. A serious player who is always striving for consistency and to be better he intends studying graphic design in Cape Town or Potchefstroom next year.
As an openside flank Warren’s strengths should be obvious. His ability to turn the ball over in the tackle and his solid defence are what set him apart. Not surprisingly he has a host of heroes who all practise his fine art: Richie McCaw, George Smith, Phil Waugh, Schalk Burger and Luke Watson. Of the above list Warren singled out Brumbies dynamo George Smith as the most consistent performer for him.
Glenwood have a good pack of forwards and will be looking to use them to lay the platform for their more than useful backs. Glenwood started the season well and beat Boland Landbou and Ermelo at the St. Stithians Festival. A two-point loss to Paarl Gim in the last game seemed to dent their confidence and since returning they have lost to DHS (away) and Westville. A win over St. Stithians last weekend has helped lift their spirits ahead of Saturday’s game.
Saturday’s FNB Classic Clash will be a massive occasion with 15 000 spectators expected to be in attendance. Having lost to DHS recently, Glenwood are determined to get one back and as if any more motivation is required it is also the Glenwood Old Boy’s weekend. All the elements are in place to make this a classic and Glenwood are lucky to have an experienced campaigner like Warren Whiteley leading them.
For a general profile of Glenwood High, click here.
