Southend's youngsters head off to South Africa

The youngsters, who won the Essex Cup for the third year in succession, will be heading out tomorrow.

And coach Kevin Harman is now excited to be taking them to Durban and Cape Town where they will be playing against a number of top teams.

“It’s going to be a brilliant trip and a fantastic experience for all of the boys,” said Harman.

“We start off with a week in Durban where we will be playing Glenwood High School for Boys who are in the top 10 in South Africa.

“After that we play Westville High before flying down to Cape Town.

“We play Boland Province there and a Western Province Development side who are in the biggest township in the world.

“After we play them we will be leaving all of our kit there and be doing some coaching sessions.

“It will be good for our boys to see how lucky they are.”

However, the trip will also bring to an end Harman’s work with the team.

Harman set up the mini and youth section of the club when he was director of rugby at Southend nine years ago.

But he will no longer be able to coach them as he has now relocated to Coventry to continue his role as recruitment manager at Wasps.

“At the end of the tour that’s me done,” said Harman.

“I’ve moved to Coventry for work with Wasps so I won’t be able to coach these lads anymore.

“Chris Green, the director of rugby here, will coach them and Tom Morrish so they’re in good hands.”

And Harman remains proud of what has been achieved.

“We have 350 kids playing rugby here which is brilliant,” he said.

“This particular group was the first team we had and two of them are still with us from the under seven.

“A further six joined at under eight and they are now one of top teams in the south-east.

“Six of them are in the Saracens squad and Ollie Bluck plays for England.

“This is the culmination of nine year’s work and the trip is a great way for me to finish.”

Southend also have a new kit for the trip which has been sponsored by Cycles UK.