This past weekend the Tsogo Sun Cares rugby tourney –first of its kind in townships- took place at Bophelong Sports Complex under the beautiful, sunny weather with nicely trimmed grass.
Close to 600 youngsters from seven Diepsloot primary schools, took each other on and the boys, bare-foot, showed bigger boys a thing or two!
Despite the poor attendance from the community, the young learners’ participation where the winners at the end of the day, as they huffed and puffed to impress the ex Boks star, Chiliboy Ralepele, who now plies his trade in France, Touloun and other Lions big boys.
“I’m happy with what I’m seeing because from these boys age, we only grew up playing only one thing: soccer. I’m touched emotionally,” says the bulky player who drove all the way from airport to attend the fest.
“Talent is spotted at such events, and If we can only monitor their progress something positive can be reaped out of such tournaments,” says Chili who is an Ambassador for the Sun Cares Rugby Development.
“The South African Rugby Union applauds companies such as Tsogo Sun that are collaborating with government departments and other organisations to make a real difference in developing rugby at grass roots level. It is good for the country, it is good for rugby and more than that, it is good for the children, who are kept active and can enjoy all the benefits of participating in a team sport,” says SARU deputy president Mark Alexander.
Paradise Bend Primary School took honours in both under 10s and 13s, respectively.
Skinny but strong-looking Lebogang Tiro, under 10 rugby player from the winning school, said despite his features, he looks forward pursuing this career and making in into bigger ranks.
Rob Collins, chief marketing officer of Tsogo Sun, says that through SunCares, the group is striving to harness the power of collaborations in the interests of doing more – and doing what it does well.
Tsogo Sun believes that collaborations and partnerships are an excellent model for development as they tend to deliver much more than would have otherwise been possible. “Collaborations with corporates, government, SMMEs, or even individual trailblazers, offer the perfect opportunity to pool resources with like-minded organisations and work together for collective change, sharing the kudos that is earned.”
Now, with all the positivity that took place if, only the community could rally behind such tournaments and support our youngsters, the future could be brighter, or kanjani?
On a somber note, Chili also wished Madiba a speedy recovery.
