A Cape Town rugby team has relaunched their brand by making sure their players all have boots to wear.
Gardens RFC, based in the City Bowl, had a “Sponsor A Pair of Boots” campaign that has helped more than 30 players who can now run onto the field with pride.
The club says this is but the start of many improvements they hope to make in the lives of the young players.
The club has nearly 70 players with children from all over the Cape Flats, poor areas such as Hanover Park, Mitchells Plain and Eerste River.
A spokesperson for the club, Siraaj van den Berg, says he was pleased they could help these youngsters, some as young as seven years old, “who live for rugby”.
He says the club has put out word that they are open to talented players from all over Cape Town and have been inundated with laaities looking to make their mark.
“We are grateful for the opportunity to start off the season giving back to our children,” says Siraaj.
“Across the Cape Flats, there are many children who wish to play sports, but they cannot because they don’t have the tools.
“We try and give children a second home.”
Not only is the club assisting kids with boots, but they also pay community members to transport the children to practice sessions twice a week.
Van den Berg says this petrol bill amounts to about R40 000 a month and is paid with the help of generous sponsors.
“We are grateful for the assistance we received from our communities,” he adds.