New Zealand’s High Commission’s recommendation sees the Atlas children, coaches and team share the field with one of rugby’s most famous teams.
The Atlas Foundation had the honour of hosting three rugby clinics alongside the visiting All Blacks in Durban, Cape Town and Johannesburg, after Atlas South Africa was once again proposed to NZ Rugby by the New Zealand High Commission in South Africa.
The High Commission’s recommendation was a strong vote of confidence in our Foundation, and an affirmation of the talent and worth of Atlas children, coaches and teachers.
Communities across the Country
The clinics brought together children and coaches from a wide range of Atlas South Africa programmes:
- The Masiphumelele and Ocean View school projects
- The Atlas Villager Deaf Project
- The Gauteng Women’s Rugby Institute (GWRI)
- The newly established Zululand Women’s Rugby Institute
The impact was immediate, inspiring and truly life-changing with time spent with the revered All Blacks.
Respect, inclusion, affirmation, motivation and pure joy characterised every moment of these engagements. The experience leaves a lasting legacy, not only in rugby, but in the confidence, aspirations and sense of belonging of the young people and communities we serve around the country.
Thank Yous
We are deeply grateful to the ABs management team and the NZ High Commission in SA for their exceptional support and meticulous planning in the opportunity for these valuable coaching clinics. Our sincere thanks to adidas for their incredible generosity in providing every child with kit and boots which ensured that each youngster felt valued and proud. Spur Group and Thirsti Water provided delicious lunch and drinks. Thank you.
Spotlight On The Black Ferns
We concluded the series, and Women’s Month, with a beautiful high tea (generously sponsored by adidas) for the Black Ferns and the young coaches of the Gauteng Women’s Rugby Institute (GWRI). Many these young women have endured the hard. It was a heartfelt occasion, filled with warmth, connection and mutual respect.
The young women from Gauteng Women’s Rugby Institute were invited to join the fabulous Black Ferns for some precious time at a beautiful tea garden, away from the rugby field, with the opportunity to share their stories, their motivation, their challenges and their rugby pathways. It was a privilege to watch the young women engage and instantly connect amid wonderful conversations, laughter, song and tears. In appreciation for this once in a life time occasion, the young GWRI slipped off beaded bracelets on to the arms of their guests as a gesture of a bond that will remain with them for a life time.
