HSBC and the Tag Rugby® Association recently hosted the 2023 HSBC Tag Rugby Clinic Championship in the Western Cape.
This event, a testament to their year-long partnership, aimed to empower underprivileged children through the sport of rugby.
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The event brought together 160 students and their teachers from 16 schools across various communities, including Atlantis, Cape Town and Worcester.
These schools are part of the Tag Rugby® Association’s community clinic programmes, which have conducted 1 168 coaching sessions in the past year, positively affecting 1 212 children.
Stuart McConnell, the Tag Rugby® association director, shared his enthusiasm for the event, which began planning in February 2023.
‘We are delighted to continue the legacy of the HSBC SVNS with the HSBC Tag Rugby Community Clinic. Our relationship with HSBC began in January 2009, and the partnership has continued. The children, teachers and coaches appreciate and enjoy this fantastic initiative. Meeting international Sevens superstars makes the experience even more special,’ he said.
The event also saw participation from players of the South African Tag Rugby and Deaf Rugby teams, fresh from their success at the 2023 World Cups.
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Under the guidance of teachers, coaches and HSBC SVNS South Africa Ambassador Bryan Habana, school teams sharpened their tag rugby skills.
McConnell highlighted the broader impact of the sport:
‘HSBC’s support of the Tag Rugby programme in South Africa is invaluable; there is so much more to rugby than crunching tackles, silky skills and elusive footwork. More than dirty boots, a smelly kit, bumps and bruises. It’s a game for everyone, regardless of size, shape, age or gender. An inclusive sport that welcomes players of all abilities and backgrounds, rugby encourages leadership and develops teamwork. It’s a sport that values respect for your opponent and support for your teammates.’
Priya Surendra, the head of corporate sustainability at HSBC, said, ‘At HSBC, we are passionate about making a positive impact on society, with a particular focus on the younger generation. Through our ongoing partnership with The Tag Rugby® Association, we can provide some of South Africa’s most underprivileged children with life-changing opportunities – opportunities that may only have existed in their dreams. We aspire to see these children, given a chance, one day pay forward the positivity in their communities.’
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