Springboks meet South Wales school children ahead of big match
Just 24 hours before the final match of South Africa’s Northern Hemisphere tour against Wales, the youngsters from Duffryn High School in Newport were shown around the stadium and had the chance to meet and talk with some of the Springboks players.
Springboks captain Jean de Villiers said: “I am sure I speak on behalf of all the players when I say how impressed we are by the work of Laureus, which is why we are delighted to welcome the kids from Newport here today. We all know what a great sport rugby is. It’s all about working together as a team and helping to increase young people’s self-esteem and their chance to improve their lives. That’s what Laureus does and why we are supporting their work across the world.”
Over the last year the Springboks have been taking part in visits to sports-based community projects, supported by the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, in different locations around the world which coincide with matches they are playing.
The young people from Duffryn High School who met the Springboks were having an early taste of the Urban Academy, a concept founded by Laureus partner Active Communities Network, based on the successful UK-wide Urban Stars programme, which offers sports such as football, boxing, weightlifting, basketball and dance, as well as mentoring and group work opportunities to enhance personal development and leadership training. Urban Academy has trained many young leaders over the past three years and will be expanding into Wales in 2015.
