News

Jason Robinson coaches the next generation of Springboks in Port Elizabeth

Tuesday, June 16th 2009

Sale Sharks Head Coach and HSBC ambassador Jason Robinson was in Port Elizabeth yesterday coaching the next generation of potential Springbok players. With the first test between the British & Irish Lions and South Africa just five days away, Jason was coaching over 100 South African youngsters at the Eastern Province Rugby Union Stadium in Port Elizabeth.



Two time British & Irish Lion is in South Africa in his role as an HSBC ambassador and is heading up HSBC's community outreach programme in the home of the World Champions. The programme will reach over 4,000 children during the Tour. As Principal Partner of the British & Irish Lions, HSBC has undertaken a major grass roots programme in South African and Jason has been coaching boys and girls across the country.



Speaking after the event Jason said, "Today has been another good day of coaching and spending time with the youngsters. This is my first time in Port Elizabeth and I was impressed by some of the skills on show today. I have been taken back by the enthusiasm for rugby that I have seen in the kids I have met. There is such a love of rugby in this country and only time will tell if there was a future Bryan Habana or John Smit amongst the group today."



Giles Morgan, Group Head of Sponsorship for HSBC Holdings said, "Today is our fourth HSBC Rugby Festival in South Africa and has been another successful event with over 100 children playing rugby and learning from one of the greatest ever former players. There is huge excitement and apetite for rugby everywhere we go and its fantastic that so many children are enjoying such a special opportunity to learn from Jason."



The children involved today were drawn from five sub unions of the Eastern Province Rugby Union, and will be representing their sub unions in a regional tournament. In addition to the children their coaches also benefited from advanced coaching from the HSBC Penguins Coaching Academy who are also in South Africa as part of HSBC's community programme.