#TuksRugby: Tuks Alumni aim to make a difference in children’s lives through rugby

Posted on November 12, 2020

Two former Tuks rugby players are hoping to bring about change in the lives of children across the world through rugby and coffee. It led to them starting RugbyCoffee.

There is a good reason for doing so. Corné du Rand believes that rugby and coffee bring people together and make for a good discussion. 

"It is not just a game . . . it is a way of life," explains Du Rand who is based in Britain.

The idea boils down to selling different brands of coffee across the world to people involved in sport. But even those who are not actively involved in sport should try their coffee. The money raised will be used to support kids who otherwise might never get the opportunity to play rugby. 

"Rugby is a tool to bring about change—a tool for upliftment. Agreed not everyone is going to continue playing rugby, but we confident the lessons learned through their involvement will stand them to good stead for their entire life. Hopefully, some will even get an opportunity to study at university," explained Thinus Pienaar, who is based in Canada.

Du Rand added that RugbyCoffee is the creators of fun rugby programmes for boys and girls at all levels in various countries.

"The aim is to help maximise the development in kids, while we build confidence as well as essential skills.

"We are linked to various charities. One of them is the Bhubesi Pride Foundation. Theirs is a fantastic story. They are annually involved with more than 50 schools in eight African countries, making a difference. Over the last three years they managed to empower more than 400 coaches.”

Du Rand and Pienaar both fell in love with rugby from that very first moment they got to touch a rugby ball. There is apparently a thrill to the game that becomes addictive. That is why they are still involved and so passionate about what they do. 

22 years had elapsed since they played for Tuks. Still, it excites them to think back to 1998. Getting to don the coveted "striped jersey" is something a player never forgets. 

It is one of the reasons Delta Drone TuksWomensRugby7's Suné Botha has been appointed as a RugbyCoffee brand ambassador. She joins the likes of Sudharsana Muthuthanthri (Sri Lanka), Daniel Leo (Samoa), DTH van der Merwe (Canada), and Jacques Burger (Namibia). 

 

 

- Author Wilhelm de Swardt

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