Dlulane to fill Wynie's blue boots

Tim Dlulane will replace long-serving Wynie Strydom as Bulls Super Rugby and Currie Cup team manager next year.

Having represented the Bulls, Blue Bulls and Springboks as a loose forward, Dlulane is well poised to take on the position of managing the first team.

Blue Bulls Company CEO Barend van Graan looks forward to the new appointment.

“Tim has been with us for many years in which time he has worked hard and smart. His dedication towards the company, relationship with players, organisational strength and knowledge of the game resulted in him being an obvious choice.”

Dlulane’s CV is an impressive one with qualifications in sports management, coaching and refereeing. In 2009 he participated in a Professional Athlete Mentorship training programme through the Gauteng Provincial Government. In 2009 and 2010, he worked with SA Rugby as the logistics manager for the South African Under-20 team.

Since January 2007, Dlulane has been employed as the Blue Bulls Junior High Performance team manager with responsibilities ranging from the management of budgets for Blue Bulls Vodacom Cup team, and Blue Bulls Under-19 and 21teams, procurement of equipment and apparel, and day to day organisation.

Perhaps his greatest responsibility has been the co-ordination and management of the Blue Bulls Junior High Performance department consisting of 18 coaches, doctor, physiotherapists, biokineticists, masseuse and baggage master.

Dlulane looks forward to filling the big boots of Strydom. “I have learnt so much from Wynie and look forward to continue with the current structures and powerful team ethic that is synonymous with the Blue Bulls family.”

The Blue Bulls Company on Wednesday announced their full support of the J9 Foundation - a support group and charity established in honour of former Bulls and Springbok scrumhalf, Joost van der Westhuizen.

With the foundation’s goal being to create awareness of the terminal disease known as Motor Neuron Disease (MND), the Blue Bulls Company aim to provide assistance through various initiatives such as using their players for Foundation exposure, stadium usage, advertising space and providing for and participating in silent auctions.

One of the Foundations focus areas is to initiate programmes and affiliations with major brand leaders, which is why Foundation founder Van der Westhuizen looks forward to the new partnership formed.

“Life is about creating memories and I have created some of my best memories in a Blue Bulls jersey. It is an honour for me to create more memories with the Bulls, but this time around making a huge difference in the lives of MND patients together.”

Van Graan said: “Joost was an asset to our team and it’s only fair that we support both him and all those in need with this disease. We look forward to supporting a well-run organisation that assists in ensuring that MND patients are correctly diagnosed, receive the best possible care and achieve the highest quality of life.”