'A Special Afternoon' - Team Ireland Trains With Youngsters from Embassy Partner School of Hard Knocks
Ahead of the eagerly-awaited two-test clash with the Springboks (6 and 13 July), Team Ireland put their preparations temporary on hold to train and coach a group of youngsters from Embassy partner School of Hard Knocks (SoHK).
“To get a look at the work the Irish Embassy [in South Africa] is doing, it’s a real privilege to be involved and see what we can help out with.”
Cape Town born, Irish international Rob Herring.
Herring who qualifies to play for Ireland through his grandmother, said it was 'massive' to be back in South Africa with the team.
“I know I grew up here, but I've been in Ireland a long time, my kids are born there and I feel it's country that's given me a lot in my life. I'm really proud to represent Ireland, [but] to be here, where I was born, is pretty special."
With all eyes on Loftus for Saturday's crunch first test, the Ulster hooker said meeting the young, local rugby players have added something to the week for the Irish players.
“We're only going to be here for a short period, but to see smiles on people's faces, and if we can share a story or two with the kids here to make a change in their life, it's such a positive thing to do. It's a real privilege to be able to do that.”
“As I've got older, I think you start to take that a lot more seriously. You can have an impact on someone's life and make a difference,” Herring said.
SoHK's mission is "to increase access to evidence-based mental and emotional wellbeing interventions through sport, with the intention of bringing about meaningful social change."
The School delivers three programmes to youth and adults. SoHK Coach Aphele Tsibiyani outlined why the programme exists.
“At this stage of life they can do some silly things around life, they don’t get the skills to cope when things escalate more, how to have difficult conversations with people,” he said.
“We meet them, give them those tools to cope and make better decisions.
"Basically, our mission is about mental health. Rugby can really help them connect with other people, talk to other people.
“The Irish players are great people, I like how they engage with our students here.”
SoHK for Schools | A year-long programme embedded in no/low fee schools, aimed at providing underserved learners with consistent, caring, adult support, lay-counselling and behavioural interventions, all of which are intended to improve their mental wellbeing. | |
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NxtGenMen | NxtGenMen is a 6-session intervention aimed at reducing violence perpetrated by men - and, in particular, to reduce violence against women. Aimed at men and boys, the programme promotes healthy masculinity and introduces coping strategies to improve emotional distress tolerance. | |
NxtGenWomxn | NxtGenWomxn is our new programme, currently in its pilot phase. A 6-session intervention, the programme provides adolescent girls and young women with the mental health resources to better deal with the challenges they face. |