SOUTH AFRICA: The 2024 edition of the nationwide grassroots, Get Into Rugby (GIR) programme targeted at children aged six to 13 is officially underway and heads to the Free State province on Thursday, 18 July.

A festival event, two days before the world champions’ Test Match against Portugal in Bloemfontein, will take place to officially mark the return of the Engen-sponsored Get Into Rugby season.

The grassroots rugby initiative saw 244 788 boys and girls play the game across all nine provinces of the country in 2023, touching the lives of 114 281 boys and 130 507 girls, who might previously have never experienced organized sport, let alone rugby.

The program also offers young, aspirant rugby coaches, both male and female, an opportunity to develop their rugby coaching skills – a key aspect that aligns with Engen Sports’ values of creating a holistic platform for youth sport development.

Engen Brand & Sponsorship Manager, Tsholo Tiro, said that Engen was looking forward to another season of impacting and contributing to the growth of rugby in South Africa through the programme.

“The Engen Get Into Rugby program is quite important to Engen due to its unique ability to reach children at the grassroots level,” said Tiro.

“Over the years, sport has proven to be a fundamental aspect of the growth of children. As proud sponsors of this program, Engen takes pride in contributing to a unique platform that encourages not only sport development, but the holistic development of the children to ensure that rugby and society benefit from well-groomed future rugby players.”

The festival in Bloemfontein will be visited by Springbok players to add inspiration and impetus to the young players, while Rian Oberholzer, CEO of SA Rugby emphasized the importance of providing new experiences and opportunities to young people.

“The Get Into Rugby program has successfully introduced hundreds of thousands of children to rugby and sport over the many years and we’re grateful for Engen’s continued support,” said Oberholzer.

“This program is the first rung on a ladder that leads to our men’s and women’s Springbok teams. But, as much as that, it offers an opportunity to play organized sport for many children who would not ever have the chance to experience it.”

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This exciting alliance marks a significant milestone in the company’s global expansion strategy and also aims to revolutionize the sports academy franchise landscape in India.

The Academy has delivered across 330 school avenues and 100 franchises across Australia. The key objective for its expansion in India is to provide young players with access to high-quality training and development opportunities by focusing on mental well-being.

With exceptional achievements in Australia, Sport Star Academy has rapidly emerged as a quality children’s sports programs academy for creating a movement of change for tomorrow’s grassroots leaders. Starting over from only one sport, Football Star Academy in 2010 to 12 sports in 2024, the journey has been commendable for the company.

Commenting on the business expansion, Peter Nikolakopoulos, Founder and CFE, of Sport Star Academy stated “As we expand Sport Star Academy into the vibrant and diverse market of India, we are not just bringing coaching expertise, we are igniting a passion for sports and fostering a culture of excellence within local communities. Our goal is to empower young players with the skills, confidence, and values they need to succeed, both on and off the field. Through Sports Star Academy in India, we aim to make a lasting impact, shaping future leaders and champions who will inspire generations to come”.

Gaurav Marya, Chairman, Franchise India Group also expressed the excitement of collaboration, saying “The sports business in India is rapidly expanding and represents the next great opportunity. Training is the first and most important phase in professional sports, and it should begin from an initial stage. If we want to develop Olympic athletes in the next 20 years, we must train them to begin playing at the age of 4-5 years. This alliance will result in a significant revolution in the sports business”.

The two companies are collectively set to drive growth in the sports industry with three key objectives: skill-based development, mental well-being and community building. By encouraging children and adolescents to engage in regular physical activity through organized sports programs, Sport Star Academy can contribute to reducing sedentary lifestyles and combating issues like childhood obesity.

Through its programs, Sport Star Academy aims to help young athletes in India build strong mental foundations, equipping them to navigate life’s challenges both on and off the field. By establishing sports programs in Indian communities, Sport Star Academy can contribute to community cohesion and foster a sense of belonging among participants which can lead to stronger social ties, increased civic engagement, and a more inclusive society.

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