Bhubesi Pride’s TransAfrique 2011:
The charitable African rugby-coaching overland expedition

Cheltenham to Cape Town:
Inspiring African communities to unite through rugby

Next January, an ambitious team of six rugby enthusiasts will depart Cheltenham (Gloucestershire, UK) and head south on a 15,000 mile overland expedition, coaching rugby to African youngsters and empowering local teaching staff in ten African countries. The final destination will be Cape Town (SA), five months later. Each African school visited will be given the opportunity to link up with a British school.

Rugby in Africa – the coaching expedition

Driving in two Land Rover Defender 300 Tdi’s, the team will enter the African continent at Tunisia, and travel through the vast expanses of Libya, Egypt and Sudan. Bhubesi Pride’s team will then embark on a unique rugby-coaching programme. Partnered by charities, touraid and United Through Sport, Bhubesi Pride has arranged school visits in ten African countries: Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Botswana, Namibia and South Africa.

The team will base themselves near each school or community for a week and provide daily rugby-coaching sessions, games and tournaments to boys and girls aged 10 – 15, before moving on to the next destination. All African schools will be given the opportunity to develop long-standing links with British schools, aimed at mutually benefitting the partnered schools involved in the programme.

The project is backed by the IRB, RFU and SA Rugby board, and will receive continued press coverage as the team and vehicles are prepared this year, and as Bhubesi Pride progresses through Africa next year.

Expedition coordinator is seeking team members NOW

With project preparations fully under way, Richard Bennett (project coordinator) is now looking to build his all-important ‘pride’ of expedition team members. The combination of Land Rovers and rugby coaching will no doubt appeal, but the success of the project will come down to having a dedicated and driven team of six individuals. Successful applicants will be able to demonstrate a relevant and wide set of skills, crucial to the expedition. All team members will be fully involved in delivering the rugby-coaching programme.

With travel and living expenses set to be covered through corporate sponsorship and charitable fundraising events, the expedition is a once in a lifetime opportunity! With only five expedition spots on offer, competition is fierce and you will have to demonstrate your worth in your application form! Bhubesi Pride is currently taking applications: the best 20 will be invited to an assessment day in May.

Apply online…

The website has a straightforward application process and your form will be sent through to Richard directly.

To find out more about the project, visit www.rugbyinafrica.org

Partner charities
touraid | UK Registered Charity Number: 1116664
United Through Sport | UK Registered Charity Number: 1102107