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George - As the 16 teams prepare for the second leg of the 2010/11 HSBC Sevens World Series in South Africa, one took time out from training to do something special.
VIDEO: Postcard from George
According to the IRB website, for the fifth successive year New Zealand, led by coach Gordon Tietjens, went to a local village to see, play and share gifts with some of the families and children who live just minutes away from the Outeniqua Stadium, where the South Africa Sevens takes place from December 10/11.
Teams on the HSBC Sevens World Series travel to eight different countries across five continents in the space of six months, seeing things that others wouldn’t in a lifetime, but this reminds the players of the way some people live, where poverty still exists.
Tietjens, who first made the trip in 2006, believes it is important for his players to visit the local village and sees it as an integral part of their annual trip to South Africa.
“We travel all of the countries around the world on Sevens tournaments and as young as the players are they don’t get to see some of the areas that are stricken with poverty," explained Tietjens.
“This is right in the middle of it, in South Africa. To see the smile on these kids’ faces when we turn up brings something quite special back to the players. We like to come here every year and brighten some of their lives up for one special day."
Attention will soon turn back to the pool matches on Friday, with New Zealand defending the title they won in 2009, but the players never forget the experience they share with some of the local children.
"The players only talk about how many kids and their parents they made very happy for days. They haven’t got any money, are really stricken with poverty and that makes it even more special,” added Tietjens.
“They come from everywhere, running across their paddocks, and it is a really special day for them. It is a real leveller. It puts your feet back on the ground and gives you perspective. This is how some people have to live and for the players, these kids are really special in their hearts."
Armed with fruit, water and sweets, the New Zealand team spent time talking with the parents and playing rugby with the children, before performing the Haka. This year the local children replied with a song sung to the players, including captain DJ Forbes.
"I guess you could say to become a better rugby player you have to become a better person," said Forbes.
"There are things outside of rugby that we try to do to emulate what we are about. We know there are parts of George that are struggling, and we are obviously a bit more fortunate than others so where we can we like to give back where we can."
Legacy programmes are an important part of any tournament, and after New Zealand's lead other teams are beginning to follow, but this was always something they wanted to do.
"We don’t do it for media, we started this a long time ago," added Forbes.
"A few other teams have seen what is going on and they have jumped on which is awesome, but we do it for our own reasons.
"It is not taking anything for granted. We do it all, we get to travel, stay in good hotels and eat good food, but at the end of the day they don’t count for much unless you have things settled in your life. If we have the chance to help out we will definitely do so."
VIDEO: Postcard from George
According to the IRB website, for the fifth successive year New Zealand, led by coach Gordon Tietjens, went to a local village to see, play and share gifts with some of the families and children who live just minutes away from the Outeniqua Stadium, where the South Africa Sevens takes place from December 10/11.
Teams on the HSBC Sevens World Series travel to eight different countries across five continents in the space of six months, seeing things that others wouldn’t in a lifetime, but this reminds the players of the way some people live, where poverty still exists.
Tietjens, who first made the trip in 2006, believes it is important for his players to visit the local village and sees it as an integral part of their annual trip to South Africa.
“We travel all of the countries around the world on Sevens tournaments and as young as the players are they don’t get to see some of the areas that are stricken with poverty," explained Tietjens.
“This is right in the middle of it, in South Africa. To see the smile on these kids’ faces when we turn up brings something quite special back to the players. We like to come here every year and brighten some of their lives up for one special day."
Attention will soon turn back to the pool matches on Friday, with New Zealand defending the title they won in 2009, but the players never forget the experience they share with some of the local children.
"The players only talk about how many kids and their parents they made very happy for days. They haven’t got any money, are really stricken with poverty and that makes it even more special,” added Tietjens.
“They come from everywhere, running across their paddocks, and it is a really special day for them. It is a real leveller. It puts your feet back on the ground and gives you perspective. This is how some people have to live and for the players, these kids are really special in their hearts."
Armed with fruit, water and sweets, the New Zealand team spent time talking with the parents and playing rugby with the children, before performing the Haka. This year the local children replied with a song sung to the players, including captain DJ Forbes.
"I guess you could say to become a better rugby player you have to become a better person," said Forbes.
"There are things outside of rugby that we try to do to emulate what we are about. We know there are parts of George that are struggling, and we are obviously a bit more fortunate than others so where we can we like to give back where we can."
Legacy programmes are an important part of any tournament, and after New Zealand's lead other teams are beginning to follow, but this was always something they wanted to do.
"We don’t do it for media, we started this a long time ago," added Forbes.
"A few other teams have seen what is going on and they have jumped on which is awesome, but we do it for our own reasons.
"It is not taking anything for granted. We do it all, we get to travel, stay in good hotels and eat good food, but at the end of the day they don’t count for much unless you have things settled in your life. If we have the chance to help out we will definitely do so."
