Jordan Hendrikse has used his injury-enforced time away from the Lions to give back to the game and inspire the youth through a series of kicking clinics.
Hendrikse’s season was brought to an end in January, when he suffered a shoulder injury that required surgery.
The 21-year-old started kicking training again last month as he steps up his recovery from the second lengthy injury layoff that the young playmaker has suffered in his career.
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Among all of his rehab work, Hendrikse has also found time to conduct a number of kicking and coaching clinics with the youth, which have also served to fuel his drive to make it back onto the field.
“The whole purpose of my kicking clinics is that it is a way to help the youth, in a sense give back with the knowledge and skill that I have. It’s to just give back to different areas during the off-time in my schedule,” Hendrikse told SARugbymag.co.za
“I thought it was a great initiative, especially now that I’m injured: to give back and to give the youth just this excitement, to communicate with people that look up to you.. Also to understand the journey that I took, staying tough, working hard, and all the hours that I put in.
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“It’s a basis for chatting with them, working on their skills, and communicating. For some of them, it’s meeting people they want to be like. That’s my way of giving back, helping the youth, people who are unfortunate or who would like to apply those skills.
“It’s my way to inspire. That’s one big word that resonates with me. Whatever you do, there is always someone you are inspiring. So you just lead by example. It’s nice to have them through that when you are at the training field or just chatting to someone somewhere, showing them that I am an approachable guy.”
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Photo: Willem Loock/BackpagePix