RUGBY Union, as is life, has always been about building positive relationships to empower and inspire participants to create a truly cohesive social structure.

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Essential skills around leadership, problem-solving, improved communication and conflict-resolution can see the sport of rugby change lives.

So naturally when the Nelson Bay Gropers Rugby Union Club heard about the need for rugby gear for the Barchando Girls Secondary School in Kenya they rallied for the cause.

Throughout 2019 sets of jerseys and football boots were collected to be shipped at the end of the season through the clubs rugby connections in Sydney.

Joel O’Loughlin from the Nelson Bay Gropers said that whilst the club donated kits and boots a lot of the work was done behind the scenes with affiliates of the club.

“Ally Ingham was really the one that got all the gear together for her family friend Gift Otieno who travels to Kenya every year to support the school with its much needed sporting equipment,” said Mr O’Loughlin.

“I believe the girls collected around three 80kg tubs of playing and training kit, and two 80kg tubs of rugby boots from around Nelson Bay.”

The girls sevens squad, who are the 2015 Kenyan National Champions, were reportedly elated with the new gear and couldn’t wait to get on the paddock.

“From all reports from Ally and Gift the girls were amped to get into their new kits,” said Mr O’Loughlin.

“It felt like a small gesture but it’s great to see the positive impacts rugby can bring to people around the world.”

By Mitch LEES