Talking Rugby
Rugby balls to poverty
Rugby fans in Nottingham are being urged to buy a ball to help support South Nottingham College’s Rugby Performance Programme students and Nottingham Rugby Club’s Academy in distributing 2000 balls to schoolchildren in townships across South Africa. The project forms part of the College’s successful ‘Balls to Poverty’ initiative which has been running for football since 2005. It supports students travelling to South African townships to take part in coaching and community sessions as well as handing out balls to schoolchildren. South Nottingham College has extended the project to rugby to enhance its newly formed partnership with Nottingham Rugby Club. The official launch for the Rugby Balls to Poverty project took place at Meadow Lane ahead of the National League One game against Pertemps Bees, when students distributed flyers. Said Nottingham's Director of Rugby, Glenn Delaney, “Balls to Poverty is a fantastic opportunity to spread rugby across areas which need a boost. By becoming involved Nottingham Rugby hopes to make a dedicated contribution to life in these townships through the international language of rugby.” A single rugby ball costs £4.50 to manufacture in Africa and a target of £10,000 needs to be raised. Supporters can make donations by sending a cheque payable to South Nottingham College to its West Bridgford Centre, Greythorn Drive, Nottingham NG2 7GA. The cheque must have the words ‘Balls to Poverty’ on
Phil benefits cambodia
Nicki Drinkwater
Phil Greening
Former England hooker Phil Greening has pledged to donate the proceeds of his testimonial year to help the street children of Cambodia. The ex-England Sevens coach made the decision after seeing the kids living on rubbish dumps and in the streets, telling the Gillette Rugby Podcast, “I’ve had a great career and I’m fortunate to work for Standard Charter Bank. I thought I don’t need my benefit year so all the money I’ll raise I’ll give to them.” His charity, Sporting Chance Foundation, already helps over 2000 kids every day and Greening hopes to provide a further boost next weekend, when he will be joined by many other legends of the game, including Jason Leonard in a charity game at the Emirates Airline Dubai Sevens. Listen to the Gillette Rugby Podcast on RFU.com/podcast
