"Adopt-a-School"

The ever-proactive South African Rugby Legends Association, who have a number of far-reaching projects under their belt already, are addressing the need to transform and develop not only rugby but also broader education needs at a grass-roots level by creating their Adopt-A-School programme.

For the last year CEO of South African Rugby Legends Association (SARLA), John Allan who is a former Springbok, Scottish and Sharks player, has embarked on a nationwide campaign to get the 100 top schools around the country to enlist in the Adopt-A-School programme.

Glenwood High School is the catalyst of the project, as John Allan is a former pupil and still very involved in the school. Two schools have all ready been selected as the partner schools that will develop a relationship with this top institution. A school from Umlazi, Umlazi Comm Tech, and a school from Cato Manor, who is going to be taking rugby on as an extra curriculum activity for the first time, will have the possibility to work closely with Glenwood High School both off and on the rugby field.

The Adopt-A-School programme entails the following: The South African Rugby Union has identified the 100 top traditional rugby playing schools that are willing to take part in the programme. Each of the 100 schools will identify up to four development schools in their community and offer them coaching with Legends or the provincial players. An ongoing coaching for the rugby players in the adopted schools is scheduled, including coaching of the coaches. Also unused equipment and kit from the traditional school and pupils will be passed onto their partner schools. Text and educational books and classroom equipment that the traditional school and pupils are not using will also be donated to the adopted schools. The clinics and training sessions will identify talent among the partner schools and potentially offer learners with exceptional talent, bursaries to the traditional schools.

The Adopt-A-School programme will assist in providing provincial players, development coaching and South African Rugby Legends coaching assistance for regions that include the adopted schools. If schools are in need of equipment, then exposure through the Unions and South African sponsors could help supply the schools with their requirements. If the schools are hosting a function, event or prize giving, then to provide relevant speakers from either South African Rugby Legends or South African Rugby Union. Free scholar tickets for pupils, and free stand tickets for the coaches to all games at the South African Rugby Union games are also part of the package.

"A top rugby school sometimes has 25 teams that are always keen for a game but on most weekends, will only have 15 teams being scheduled to play. Which gives an opportunity for the adopted school and the teams that are being side-lined to play against each other." said John Allan.

The Adopt-A-School programme is being initiated at the moment throughout South Africa and is being backed by South African Rugby Union and being driven by the South African Rugby Legends Association.