How to Lead a Wolfpack: A Lesson in Accountability, Satire, and the Art of Not Hurting Kids

How to Lead a Wolfpack: A Lesson in Accountability, Satire, and the Art of Not Hurting Kids

So there I was, deep in the northern suburbs of Cape Town, staring down the challenges of leading a pack—a Wolfpack, to be exact. Our rugby program was struggling, the fans were growling for answers, and I, your Previous Wolfpack Rugby Daddy, answered your (players and fans) the calls.

Being snubbed, I thought to myself: "What better way to address the lack of accountability in leadership than with a touch of humor and satire?" After all, who doesn't love a good laugh while tackling tough issues?

Lesson #1: The Power of Satire (or How to Accidentally Offend Without Really Trying)

In my quest to shed light on the importance of strong and accountable leadership, I put together a little "lesson." It was a satirical piece, meant to poke fun at the all-too-common practice of leaders shifting the focus and retreating to their caves when the going gets tough.

I asked a few pointed questions, maybe threw in a cheeky comment or two—okay, maybe twenty—and thought, "Surely, everyone will see the humor in this!"

Turns out, not everyone did. Who knew that when you ask whether the opposition paid your players to lose by a specific margin, some might not take it in the spirit of friendly banter?
Who could have predicted that when you suggest that maybe, just maybe, the kids were on the field but thought it was still part of warming up, it might be interpreted as something less than supportive?

Lesson #2:
The Art of the Apology (or How to Eat Crow with a Smile)

Let me be clear: I never intended to hurt anyone, especially not the kids. I’ve always believed in their resilience and their ability to laugh along with me at the absurdities of sports and life. But upon realizing that some of my words might have missed the mark—or rather, hit a bit too hard—I knew I had to take action.

So, in the grand tradition of a true Wolfpack Alpha male, I am stepping up, leading by example.

If my words have caused any harm, I take full responsibility.
I’m removing the post, not because I don’t stand by the call for better leadership, but because I never want to be the source of pain for the very people I’m trying to protect, the children.

To any parents or kids who felt hurt by my words, please accept my heartfelt apologies. My intention was never to wound, but rather to wake up the powers that be to the importance of supporting our young athletes.

Lesson #3: Deflection, Shifting Focus, and Accountability (A Trifecta of Leadership Styles)

Now, let's have a little fun with how different leaders might handle this situation:

The Deflector: "What? Me? Cause harm? No, no, this is all about your misunderstanding of my brilliance. You see, my satire is just too advanced for the masses.

"The Focus Shifter: "It’s not about the issue, let me rather shift the focus to the method and change the narrative and act as protectors of the players, off the field, away from possible responsibility for causing hurt on the rugby field. Let’s not dwell on my issue, but rather on how we can shield the leaders from all things uncomfortable, under the guiseof acting in the interest of our pack."

The Accountable Leader (That’s Me, Folks!): "Oh dear, did my attempt at humor land with a thud? My bad! Let’s fix that immediately.

Post deletion (in progeess), accepting responsibility for potential (even in unintentional) harm, issuing and apology - admitting and commuicating such regret, accepting responsibility and learning a lesson is attributes of accountability, growth and intention.

Now, hav8ng done that, cancwe PLEASE get back to the real issue—supporting these kids so they don’t get embarrassed on the field due to lack of support.

"Lesson #4: The Real Fight (or Why I’m Even Here in the First Place)

Here’s the kicker: my fight isn’t with the kids, it’s with the system that’s letting them down. When our young athletes step onto that field, they deserve to be supported by leaders who are fully present, accountable, and ready to back them up—not hide behind closed doors when things get tough.

And that’s the part that hurts me the most. For six days now—four days at school after the match—these boys have had to endure the taunts and jeers of their peers. They’ve been labeled losers, told they should quit rugby, mocked for their efforts on the field. This isn’t just about losing a game; it’s about being abandoned by those who should be lifting them up, not hiding away or shifting the blame onto them.

This is the second year in a row they’ve had to endure this.

Last year, they lost 70-0. This year, 69-0. And what’s changed? Nothing. They’re still out there, giving it their all, only to be met with silence from the very leaders who should be supporting them. It’s no wonder my passion has boiled over into satire and critique—how else do you get through to those who refuse to listen?

So, if I needs to me to play the role as the Wolfpack leader for a moment— I gladly take the hit, I gladly make the apology, and I pray that to steer us back on course towards the issue — then so be it. Because at the end of the day, my goal is simple: to ensure that those in power start taking real responsibility for the success and well-being of our kids.

They deserve leadership that isn’t afraid to stand up, speak out, and -yes, can sometimes even admit when they’ve made a mistake. In the same breath, they deserve leadership that does not instill fear of retaliation, towards those who speak up.

Final Thought: Flushing Out the Truth

And so, I’ll leave you with this: Just as I’m quick to flush out a post that might have caused unintended harm, I’m also here to flush out the truth. The truth is, our kids deserve better.

They deserve leaders who won’t retreat to their caves, who won’t shift the focus away from their own responsibilities, and who won’t deflect when called out.

In the end, leadership isn’t about never making mistakes—it’s about owning them, learning from them, and doing better next time. And with that, I promise to keep fighting for what’s right for our kids. Because that’s what a true Wolfpack leader does.All the best,

Coach Dries

PS: And remember, whether it’s a post or a problem, always be ready to flush out what’s not working. It’s the only way to keep things clean and moving forward!