PORT ELIZABETH – Africa’s biggest car manufacturer and exporter, Volkswagen of South Africa, and the South African Rugby Football Union (SARFU) have teamed up to provide a new driving force behind rugby Game Development in South Africa.

VWSA has entered into a three-year sponsorship deal with SARFU for the supply of much needed vehicles for SARFU Game Development officers across the 14 Provinces. The new sponorship, which involves 34 vehicles and is worth about R1 million a year, was announced on Wednesday at Volkswagen’s Uitenhage plant.

Volkswagen’s General Manager for Sales and Marketing, Mr Bill Stephens, said the sponsorship was in line with VWSA’s commitment to the development of sport throughout the country. It joins VWSA’s current sponsorship of the South African team to the Sydney Olympics, as well as the South African Football Association’s development programme. ‘We have no doubt that this sponsorship will go a long way towards realising the dream of making South Africa a winning nation. Over the years rugby has grown from being a sectarian to a truly national sport, as demonstrated during the last two World Cups, and we are very proud to be associated with rugby,’ said Stephens.

SARFU president, Mr Silas Nkanunu, said SARFU was very proud to be associated with VWSA, which is the biggest private sector employer in the Eastern Cape. ‘Volkswagen of South Africa have set a very good example for other captains of industry on the direction that we all need to take in order to ensure that we continue to have a top class provincial and national rugby teams. With VWSA’s assistance, we have a better chance to not only spread the rugby gospel, but to create even more opportunities for talented players, and to expose many others to the basics of the game,’ Mr Nkanunu said.

The SARFU President expressed his delight that Volkswagen had stepped in to ensure that rugby continues to participate in the process of nation building.

‘SARFU employs many Game Development officers across the country. At times these dedicated individuals have to do their work under difficult circumstances because of transport difficulties, especially in the more remote areas of the country. This new sponsorship will give many of these officers the mobility they need to visit previously inaccessible schools and clubs, enabling them to pass on valuable expertise in these areas of the country.

In addition to 30 VW bakkies for Game Development officers, VWSA will supply three sedans and a bus, which will be used to transport SARFU officials in their official duties. VWSA will be responsible for the maintenance and all running costs of the vehicles while being used by SARFU.

The Border Rugby Union and Eastern Province Rugby Football Union, which have large geographical areas to cover will each be allocated six vehicles, South Western Districts, Boland and Griqualand West will each get three vehicles and the remaining nine Unions will get one each.

‘Border, Eastern Province and Boland in particular have the greatest number of players in their Game Development structures, as well as the greatest distances to cover in reaching all potential rugby players,’ said Mr Nkanunu. ‘Whichever way you look at it, however, it is vital that we identify all means through which to develop and grow our player base across the entire country. Accessibility and mobility are crucial and it is here that kind gesture from Volkswagen will be the most effective for all of our Game Development officers.

For further details contact:

Anthony Mackaiser
Communications Manager
Tel: +27 21 685 3038
Email: anthony@sarfu.org.za