Our Story
A Dad and His Lad
“Louis Koen’s dad played a key role in his young life, spending time with him, kicking rugby balls with him on an open field near their house and teaching him the finer principles of a good kicking technique. Louis explains: “My dad loved the game, played the game and coached the game. His passion for rugby ignited the flame inside me to play. He spent most of his limited free time, teaching me the principles of kicking. I have fond memories of those days spending time with my dad. This platform is a tribute to my dad, Gert Jacobus Koen.
SweetSpot Kicking Agency at heart, has the purpose to foster strong connections between dads & lads/ladies and coaches & kickers. “Our main focus will be on coaching and training dads and coaches. This way, SweetSpot Kicking Agency, will have a much greater impact regarding dad/coach & lad/lady relationships and third dimension issues such as identity, self-worth, character, purpose and living a life of significance.
“I would like for every dad and coach to make an impact in the life of their son or daughter through the wonderful privilege of coaching the skill of kicking.” – Louis Koen
Our Vision
A certified SweetSpot Kicking Coach at every rugby union team
Our Mission
* Certify SweetSpot Kicking Coaches
* Enhance performance of our kickers
* Develop a community for those that share a passion for kicking
Our Staff
Louis Koen
Founder & Master CoachLouis Koen is a former international rugby player renowned for his role as a fly-half. He was celebrated for his precise goal-kicking and strategic play.
Playing Career:
Western Province & Stormers (1995–1999), Lions & Cats (2000–2002), Bulls (2003), Narbonne (2004-2005), Springboks (2000 – 2003)
Coaching Career:
Western Province/Stormers (2005 – 2009), Boland Kavaliers (2010 – 2011), Springboks (2012 to 2016), Junior Springboks (2017 – 2019), Springbok Women XV (2023 – 2024).
Throughout his career, both as a player and coach, Koen has been instrumental in developing rugby talent in South Africa, particularly in enhancing kicking skills and performance.
Monty DuMond
Associate and Mater CoachGodfried ‘Monty’ Dumond, is a versatile rugby union player known for his roles as fly-half and fullback. Dumond has had an extensive playing career both domestically and internationally.
Playing Career:
Natal Sharks in 2003, Overmach Parma in Italy (2004–2005), Aurillac in France (2005–2006), Racing Métro 92 (2006–2007), Sharks (2007 – 2010), Eastern Province Kings (2011) and Boland Cavaliers in 2014.
Coaching Career:
Hamiltons Rugby Club, Unimil, Boland, Rhinos Rugby California U/18 teams and currently serves as Paarl Boys High’s Kicking Coach.
Throughout his career, Monty Dumond has demonstrated a deep commitment to rugby, both on and off the field, contributing significantly to the sport’s development at various levels.
Henning van der Merwe
Associate & Master CoachHenning van der Merwe is a South African rugby kicking coach with a notable career dedicated to enhancing kicking abilities across various levels.
Coaching Career:
Leopards Rugby Union: , Northwest University (Pukke):, Nelson Mandela University (2019 – 2021), Eastern Province (EP) Kings: (2014 – 2019), Pearson High School: 2019, Kicking Kings Kicking Academy: 2021 – 2025
Business Owner:
He is the founder of Kicking Kings, Kicking Academy that focus on advancing rugby kicking techniques, utilizing his expertise to mentor players across various age groups and competitive levels.
Liam Koen
CoachLiam Koen was born in Pretoria and is currently a professional rugby player with the Blue Bulls. He is known for his role as a fly-half with a prodigious left boot and accurate passing game . Liam had an extensive school-boy career both domestically and internationally and is determined to make his mark in senior professional rugby.
Playing Career:
Paarl Gimnasium 1st XV (2020-2021), SA U18 (2020 – 2021), Blue Bulls U21 (2022–2025), SA U20 (2024)
Coaching Career:
He currently serves as Waterkloof High School’s Kicking Coach.
Liam is a young, upcoming coach with a passion to assist young aspiring kickers/players to reach their full potential.
Earl Cassidy Lewis
CoachEarl Lewis hails from a small town in the Boland province, called Darling. Nicknamed, “The Boot” Earl was an exciting running back who played flyhalf and fullback. A prolific goal kicker and point scoring machine, Earl left a lifelong imprint on rugby in the Boland and will always be the darling of Darling.
Playing Career:
He represented Boland Rugby Union at all age groups from u18 to u21. He then left the Western Cape and moved to Johannesburg where he represented the University of Johannesburg and The Golden Lions Rugby Union in the Vodacom and Currie Cup. After a very successful professional career, Earl moved to Rustenburg and was part of the Impala Rugby Club team that dominated the Gold Cup for a few years.
Earl then returned to the Boland and played for the Boland Kavaliers and Hamiltons Rugby Club. Earl was also part of Paul Treu’s Springbok Sevens Squad.
After retiring from professional rugby, Earl joined his beloved Darling Rugby Club where he captained the side to numerous titles and become a legend of the club, representing the club 125 times.
Coaching Career:
Earl has been assisting kickers at Darling Rugby Club and Hamiltons Rugby Club, demonstrated a deep commitment to rugby, both on and off the field, contributing significantly to the sport’s development at community and club level.