The British & Irish Lions and SA Rugby have announced Laureus Sport for Good will be the Global Charity Partner of the 2021 Castle Lager Lions Series.
Since it was launched by Nelson Mandela in 2000, the vision of Laureus Sport for Good has been to use sport as a powerful, accessible and cost-effective tool to help children and young people overcome violence, discrimination and disadvantage in their lives.
As the first ever Lions Series Global Charity Partner, Laureus Sport for Good will raise funds to support rugby-based community sports programmes in Britain & Ireland, South Africa and Japan which tackle social issues facing young people.
The one-year partnership, which will dovetail the existing official charities of the Lions and SA Rugby, sees both organisations support the charity’s important work by allowing Laureus to utilise its digital platforms for promotional purposes, as well as access to the Lions and Springbok squads, Lions legends and 2021 Tour memorabilia for fundraising.
Laureus Sport for Good currently supports more than 200 programmes in over 40 countries that use the power of sport to transform lives. Every programme which Laureus supports addresses at least one of the following six social issues, which are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals:
- Health: Enhancing mental wellbeing and encouraging healthy behaviour change
- Education: Increased access to and completion of education
- Women and Girls: Promoting equality, empowerment and safety
- Employability: Developing skills and creating pathways to employment
- Inclusive Society: Creating communities which embrace ethnic, cultural and physical differences
- Peaceful Society: Resolving conflict, promoting community peacebuilding and creating safe spaces
“We are thrilled to confirm our partnership with Laureus Sport for Good – one of the most effective and recognised charitable organisations in the world, ” said Lions managing directo Ben Calveley.
“Like Nelson Mandela, we believe that sport has the power to change the world, and we look forward to working with them to highlight the important work they do and help make a difference.”
Jurie Roux, CEO of SA Rugby, commented: “We have a long-standing and wonderful relationship with Laureus, and we’re very proud of what they have achieved over the years as their roots are firmly here in South Africa.
“Locally, our focus will be on two key initiatives – the Chris Burger Petro Jackson Players Fund, the Official Charity of the Springboks who support players that have sustained disabling and life changing head, neck or spinal cord injuries while participating in rugby, as well as our Women’s Rugby Legacy programme, which aims to create a sustainable structure and action plan with how we plan to uplift women’s rugby.”
Sean Fitzpatrick, Chairman of the Laureus World Sports Academy, added: “At Laureus Sport for Good, we are proud to become the first ever Global Charity Partner of a Lions Series, and we look forward to working with The British & Irish Lions, SA Rugby and partners to support young people facing tough challenges and tackling discrimination in their own lives.”
