SOS INVOLVEMENT IN HSBC LIONS COMMUNITY PROGRAMME !

SOS INVOLVEMENT IN HSBC LIONS COMMUNITY PROGRAMME !

SOS IRB Kit Aid has been proud to be part of a wonderful HSBC Lions Community programme in South African townships as part of the current Lions tour to South Africa.At the request of HSBC.See www.lions.hsbc.com for more details. SOS has picked up kit from schools in the UK and Ireland and delivered it to South Africa on HSBC's behalf. Below is a report of the kit being given out by Brian Habana and Jason Robinson at HSBC Rugby Festivals held in townships during the Lions tour to South Africa. A wonderful example of rugby uniting countries in a common cause - to improve the lives of less fortunate children by enabling them to play a healthy sport like rugby and be part of a team.  

"Bryan Habana, named last night in the South Africa squad for the British & Irish Lions Tour, popped into catch up with Jason and help coach the children at the HSBC Rugby Festival at St John's College. Bryan and Jason have previously joined forces to launch HSBC's kit collection programme in association with SOS IRB Kit Aid back in November.

Speaking at the event Jason said, "I have been fortunate enough to be involved with the HSBC Rugby Festivals back in the UK & Ireland which has involved over 60,000 children in England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. The focus in the UK was on emerging rugby schools which is of particular interest to me given my background in rugby. Over here in South Africa, the HSBC office has been running a TAG rugby programme introducing rugby to townships across the Gauteng region. The children here today are new to rugby but are so enthusiastic its very encouraging and I am confident rugby will continue to be part of the children's lives."

Bryan said, ""It was really great to come and see so many enthusiastic children enjoying the sport that I love so much. I am very blessed to be able to do what I do and to see everyone enjoy themselves today is very special for me. I really hope that this TAG rugby programme will go on to produce one of our future Springboks or Blue Bulls. I would love to see someone from this programme go on to play rugby at the highest level.

I would like to thank HSBC for everything they are doing over here in South Africa over recent months. It is a fantastic programme that is introducing new children to the sport of rugby. Hopefully all the kids here today will go back home and spread the word that rugby is fun. Both Jason and I have told them the most important thing is to enjoy playing rugby.

Today has been brilliant and I am grateful to HSBC for involving me. Rugby is the best game in the world and the children here today are very lucky to be able to learn from Jason Robinson - one of the greatest players in the world.

I feel privileged to be here with Jason Robinson today. He was one of my idols who I looked up to when I was younger. His moral values on and off the field are very special. Not many achieve what he has achieved and I would like to thank Jason for being such a great role model back in the UK and around the world. It is a real pleasure for me to be part of this HSBC programme with him."

Jason and Bryan were coaching at the culmination of a three month HSBC programme involving 20 different township schools across Soweto, Alexandra and Mamelodi.

Giles Morgan, Group Head of Sponsorship for HSBC said, "Working with children in local communities is an extremely important element of HSBC's Lions sponsorship. It is fantastic that our Africa office has got so involved in the TAG Rugby programme, volunteering their time to coach the children - over 80% of whom had never played rugby before. I really hope that the children have enjoyed being coached by a former British & Irish Lion and continue to play rugby in the future."

Today's festival was the second of four festivals that HSBC is running across South Africa during the Lions Tour."