HSBC partnered with Tag Rugby® Association to host the final of a year-long programme for schools participating in the 2022 HSBC Tag Rugby Clinic.

The final was held in Cape Town and brought together more than 160 girls and boys from 16 different schools from Atlantis, Worcester and Cape Town.

The schools are part of Tag Rugby South Africa’s community clinic programmes, which enable children in underprivileged communities to get into rugby at a young age. The schools participate in the Tag Rugby® Adopt-a-School Programme, running from January to November each year. The programme also teaches life skills.

Tag Rugby Association Director Stuart McConnell said, “After a two-year break due to Covid-19, we are extremely excited to continue the HSBC Cape Town Sevens legacy with the HSBC Tag Rugby Community Clinic. The children, teachers and coaches appreciate and enjoy this fantastic initiative. Meeting International Sevens superstars makes the experience even more special.”

The teams, accompanied by teachers and coaches, spent the day training and playing Tag Rugby® alongside the HSBC Sevens South African Ambassador Bryan Habana and the Great Britain Tag Rugby Team.
Habana has spent the past few years coaching young players on the finer skills of rugby and described the programme as brilliant in helping underprivileged children get into rugby at a young age.

“HSBC’s support for the Tag Rugby programme in South Africa truly is invaluable,” said Habana.

“There is so much more to rugby than crunching tackles, silky skills and elusive footwork. More than dirty boots, smelly kit, bumps and bruises. It’s a game for everyone regardless of size, shape, age or gender. An inclusive sport that welcomes players of all skill levels and backgrounds, rugby fosters leadership and develops teamwork. It’s a sport that values respect for your opponent and support for your teammates.”

Support for the Tag Rugby Association is part of HSBC’s CSI and legacy programmes. The Association has promoted rugby and physical activity in South African communities since 1994. The relationship with HSBC began in 2009 in preparation for the British and Irish Lions Tour to South Africa when HSBC was the headline sponsor of the Tour.

Priya Surendra, Head of Human Resources & Corporate Sustainability, HSBC, said: “At HSBC our investment in uplifting society, especially with young people in mind, is what we are most passionate about. Our longstanding partnership with The Tag Rugby Association allows us to give some of the most disadvantaged children across South Africa opportunities they would have only ever dreamt about. We hope that one day they will be able to pay this forward in their own communities.