Associated with the likes of Jean De Villiers, Conrad Jantjes and Ashwin Willemse, JAG’s rugby development programme, provides hundreds of youngsters from disadvantaged communities the opportunity to grow and excel through sport.

Situated in Bonteheuwel, Cape Town, the JAG Rugby programme utilises the sport of rugby, to educate kids on self discipline, perseverance, leadership and healthy competition. In its approach, JAG creates a safe and fun learning environment for its players with the expert guidance of dedicated and skilled coaches, mentors and role models. With life skills as one of the main components of the programme, participants are encouraged to make informed decisions both on and off the field, which in communities that suffer from drug abuse, violence, crime and low self-esteem, is of the utmost importance.

In Bonteheuwel alone there are 32  primary school rugby teams playing matches on a weekly basis.

Partnering with leading industry bodies such as Childline SA, JAG Rugby also aims to address socio-economic issues such as neglect, abuse and bullying. JAG Rugby’s anti-bulling campaign demonstrates non-contact rugby skills to help combat bullying as well as educating kids about the different forms of bullying and why children bully. The campaign is endorsed by Springbok loose forward Pierre Spies and in 2009 more than 4000 children benefited from the campaign.

Since its inception, the JAG Rugby community has produced some outstanding players, resulting in both boys and girls being awarded bursaries and scholarships to leading schools in Western Cape. These achievements inspire and encourage other kids to also strive to excel in their rugby and academic skills. Offered bursaries at different schools have been namely Devon Bruiners  (Bishops), Mikaeel Bakhardien (SACS) Shanrick Davids, Shaheem Fortune and Keenon Domingo all at the Western Cape Sports School and the 1st female Yusrah Francis at Pinelands High School.

See how you can get involved.
View pictures of the JAG Rugby in action.

Find out what the JAG Rugby are up to currently by visiting our blog: www.jagrugby.blogspot.com