Sports
development cannot succeed without the committed support of sponsors, and the
case of Limpopo Blue Bulls Primary Schools Rugby and their partnership with
Forever Resorts is a case in point.
The
hospitality organisation decided to support Limpopo Blue Bulls primary schools
rugby in 2007 as part of their commitment to social responsibility and rural
development projects.
It was up
to the Limpopo Blue Bulls needed to start a development project in a rural area
- which they did in the areas of Hoedspriut and Bushbuck Ridge; to become one
of the top sides at the the Coca-Cola under 13 Craven Week - which they
achieved in 2011; and successfully bid host the tournament - which has happened
this year.
The union
set itself a time frame of 5 years to achieve these goals and they have done it
in 4. As a result, Forever Resorts have renewed their contract with the Limpopo
Blue Bull Union due the commitment that the union has shown in developing young
players.
Christo
Wagenaar, media liaison officer for Forever Resorts, explains that Hoedspruit
and Bushbuck Ridge were chosen as the focus areas because of the support that
Springbok Chiliboy Ralepele, the development programme's ambassador, enjoys in
those areas.
"The
children around Hoedspruit wanted to follow their local legend but found it
difficult due to the lack of a development program," Wagenaar said.
"The program has been around for 4 years and at this year’s tournament there are 5 children that have made the
Limpopo Blue Bulls team that have come directly out of the project."
A big
problem with rugby in Limpopo is that only 36 Primary Schools play rugby in the
province and they are spread very far apart. For Piet Burger, this year's
Coca-Cola under-13 Craven Week director to attend a local organising committee
meeting he often had to drive 860 km
"For
kids to play rugby frequently in Limpopo often they have to travel similar
distances. If more schools played rugby then they would be able to play more
schools closer to home and increase the talent pool," Burger says.
Burger
explains that the focus of the development project is not only on rugby, it is
also on teaching kids camaraderie, friendship, sportsmanship, discipline and
respect. “These players have a God-given
talent. We want them to use it to promote the game, sportsmanship, mutual
respect and to form new friendships."
The
reason why this tournament is being hosted in Bela-Bela is that the union and
Forever Resorts believe in taking rugby to the community and not taking people
out of the community to some rugby stadium in a big city.
"However,
this created a lot of challenges," Burger says. SARU do not compromise on
the medical need of the kids. There are certain criteria that a hosting town
needs to meet and most rural towns cannot meet those needs. "The Blue
Bulls helped the Limpopo Blue Bulls work on meeting these requirements,"
he explained.
The
result has been a wonderful opportunity for the young players from around the
country to experience true bushveld hospitality.
The
generosity of tournament sponsors, Coca-Cola, and Limpopo Blue Bulls Primary
Schools Sponsors, Forever Resorts has made that possible.
Ends.
About The
Coca-Cola Company
The Coca-Cola Company
(NYSE: KO) is the world's largest beverage company, refreshing consumers with
more than 500 sparkling and still brands. Led by Coca-Cola, the world's most
valuable brand, our Company's portfolio features 15 billion dollar brands
including Diet Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Coca-Cola Zero, vitaminwater, Powerade,
Minute Maid, Simply, Georgia and Del Valle. Globally, we are the No. 1 provider
of sparkling beverages, ready-to-drink coffees, and juices and juice drinks.
Through the world's largest beverage distribution system, consumers in more
than 200 countries enjoy our beverages at a rate of 1.8 billion servings a day.
With an enduring commitment to building sustainable communities, our Company is
focused on initiatives that reduce our environmental footprint, support active,
healthy living, create a safe, inclusive work environment for our associates,
and enhance the economic development of the communities where we operate. Together
with our bottling partners, we rank among the world's top 10 private employers
with more than 700,000 system employees. For more information, please www.thecoca-colacompany.com
or follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/CocaColaCo.
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