The SA Rugby Legends Association
hands over a donation to the Chris Burger Petro Jackson Players’ Fund
After a highly successful and entertaining “Play the Bounce Braai” and “Training Day with the Springboks”, the South African Rugby Legends
Association (SARLA) has capped off the event by handing over a cheque to the
Chris Burger Petro Jackson Players’ Fund. This was made possible through
personal donations made by the SA Rugby Legends who attended the event, as a
way of giving back to the sport.
The day’s events not only gave guests a chance to
rub shoulders with some of SA’s current and former rugby greats at a traditional and
lekker braai at Monte Casino, but also focused on developing young rugby
players with a specialised training clinic. The Chris Burger Petro Jackson
Players’ Fund
was established more than 30 years ago after Western Province fullback Chris
Burger sustained a fatal neck injury and seeks to assist all SA rugby players
that have sustained disabling head, neck and spinal cord injuries on the field.
For this reason, the Fund is focused on creating awareness amongst young
players on the importance of preventing injuries and playing safer rugby.
The clinic, which was hosted at Fourways
High School, gave 50 u15 athletes from the Vuka Rugby League a chance to up
their game on the field, led by Stefan Terblanche, Ian McIntosh, James Small, Breyton Paulse, Ethienne Reynecke,
Warren Brosnihan and Dale Santon. The rugby legends showed the youngsters how
it is done during a 45-minute non-contact training session and touch rugby
games. There was also a 10 minute
BokSmart presentation on injury prevention. Vuka sources many of its players from underprivileged areas
in the country and thus, this clinic was an incredible and inspiring experience
for these aspiring players.
SARLA CEO, Stefan Terblanche, notes how
important the work of the Chris Burger Petro Jackson Players’ Fund
is: “In rugby, as in other sports, there is
always a chance that something can go wrong. The Fund does amazing work to help
injured players live with dignity and purpose, and for that reason, SARLA is
honoured to present them with this donation. We thank them for everything that
they do and hope that this contribution helps to make a difference in some way.” He also points out that the Vuka athletes
were thrilled and grateful to be a part of the day: “Our Vuka players are so enthusiastic about
the game and the opportunity to get out there and get coached by these rugby
legends and put the hugest grins on their faces. It makes what we do at SARLA
so rewarding, when we see initiatives like this pay off.”
Event sponsors, life insurance industry
player, BrightRock, became involved with the Players’
Fund as an extension of their
Play the Bounce philosophy, which embraces the ever-changing, unpredictable
nature of life and of rugby.
For more info on the Chris Burger Petro
Jackson Players’ Fund, visit the following channels:
• Website:
www.playersfund.org.za
• Telephone:
(021) 659 5615
• Facebook
: https://www.facebook.com/PlayersFund/
• Twitter:
https://twitter.com/playersfundsa
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