The Atlas Foundation, the children's charity founded by rugby legend Jason Leonard OBE, has partnered with the iconic New Zealand All Blacks. In a groundbreaking collaboration, the two worked closely to raise awareness of the disparities and hardships experienced by children in South Africa.
The initiative, supported by Philip Hewitt, the New Zealand High Commissioner to South Africa, and the New Zealand High Commission, was designed to draw attention to the profound impacts sport can have on affecting real, sustainable change in the lives of some of the world’s most vulnerable children.
The Link Between Atlas South Africa and the New Zealand All Blacks
Atlas South Africa is one of several Atlas Abroad teams. In 2019, it launched the Atlas All Schools Programme in the country as part of a targeted, strategic initiative to combat prevalent issues affecting children, such as discrimination, inequality, and crime.
Like all Atlas projects, the aim isn't solely combatting embedded and often life-limiting disadvantages but empowering children to thrive, with access to education, community, and the tools to overcome adversity on their own terms.
The Atlas Foundation has strong connections with the world of ruby. Alongside an international team of ambassadors and rugby champions, many of whom are well-known rugby heroes, the charity uses the power of sport to diligently break down barriers to aspiration and achievement, challenging long-standing disparities and inspiring change that has a sustained impact.
The level of disadvantage affecting children in South Africa remains severe, with the latest statistics indicating that 62% of children experience multidimensional poverty, increasing to 88% in rural areas. Only 21% of children under five receive a minimum amount of nutrition, and 58% of children aged five to 16 experience direct sexual abuse victimisation.
Against this background, the powerful alliance of Atlas South Africa and the All Blacks, working as a dedicated team alongside local rugby champions, leveraged rugby's unifying spirit to transform individual lives and create a ripple effect of change.
Atlas South Africa’s Rugby Clinics With the All Blacks New Zealand Players
While Atlas South Africa is an ongoing aspect of The Atlas Foundation’s work, the project with the All Blacks was hosted over a series of dates. Players from the New Zealand side visited several communities experiencing serious and ongoing struggles, where children are regularly exposed to neglect and violence.
Travelling from New Zealand, the All Blacks players Ruben Love, Sevu Reece, George Bell, Pasilio Tosi and Luke Jacobson met with girls and young women from the Gauteng Women’s Rugby Institute (GWRI) in Johannesburg. Many of these young women come from the township of Tembisa and have experienced malnutrition, sexual abuse and assault.
The women of the GWRI have already overcome extreme obstacles and use rugby to find hope and strength, reclaiming and rewriting their futures.
Following this workshop, Billy Proctor, George Bower, Nial Hotham, Will Jordan, and Josh Lord headed to Cape Town. There, they met with children supported by Atlas South Africa from selected schools and were joined by the New Zealand High Commissioner.
The rugby clinics led by the All Blacks players extended beyond rugby and into teaching safety, self-confidence, and respect. They were interactive sessions with direct engagement, using the status and reputation of the inspiring athletes as positive role models—with autographs and photos, of course, readily available for the children.
Reflecting on the Impact of Rugby Clinics for Children Led by Atlas South Africa and the All Blacks
Peter Scott, General Manager of the foundation, said, ‘This was truly an incredible event, and it embraces our focus on positivity, empowerment, and education alongside sport, bringing together people and children from very different worlds who all have a common purpose and mission.
For so many children, rugby represents a sanctuary where everybody belongs, is safe, has a purpose and can excel. The mighty All Blacks symbolise a love of the game and their presence was a recognition of how these children's lives and the brightness of their futures matter, irrespective of the trauma they have experienced.
We would like to offer our enormous thanks to the New Zealand High Commission, whose dedication to making this initiative happen was instrumental, and to the All Blacks, whose time, compassion, and energy brought real joy and will, we know, have a lasting impact.’
The charity's website provides further information about The Atlas Foundation, its Atlas South Africa team, and the collaboration with the New Zealand All Blacks, as well as details on how to fundraise, contribute, or get involved.
Read more about Atlas Foundation - The Atlas Foundation’s England star* Scheme: Using Grassroots Rugby to Address Adverse Childhood Experiences
About The Atlas Foundation
Founded by rugby legend Jason Leonard OBE, The Atlas Foundation uses rugby as a tool to improve the lives of children in disadvantaged communities around the world. By partnering with local organisations, The Atlas Foundation provides educational, health, and social development opportunities to help children thrive.
Media Contact:
Caitlin Clark
Marketing and Communications Officer
The Atlas Foundation
+44 (0)207 043 2232
