In the true spirit of playing it forward, the Atlas SA Foundation was deeply honoured to be invited to a coaching session with the Scottish 7s Team in their day off earlier this week, in a preamble to the Cape Town 7s taking place this weekend.  The UK High Commission in Pretoria facilitated the morning and what a coaching session with the Atlas children it turned out to be.

A group of Atlas boys and girls arrived from three impoverished but proud communities of Masiphumelele and Ocean View, where we have an Atlas All Schools Programme in place, together with older boys from the Busy Bee RFC in Langa, which made up the group who arrived singing their way to meet the revered Scottish 7s side.

 

The magic happened from there!  The youngsters quickly changed into their sparse but precious training kit and were immediately drawn into a group huddle with the full squad.  One of the senior Atlas rugby coaches took the group through their warm up paces with some rhythm and song and getting to know each other’s names.  Team Scotland had the song…but the rhythm belonged to the children!

Coaching stations were set up and the children enthusiastically moved around and were coached by the Scots Team.  It goes without saying that the young Atlas boys and girls will hold that time of engagement, recognition, skill and play with the Scottish sporting legends forever in their minds.  No one can take that away from them and it will sure to be a guiding and motivating pointer for ever and a day!  

  

It was clear that all walked away with something special and always with the reminder that team unity, spirit, the game, song and friendship can truly uplift all even from the darkest of places that is surely there for some of those young boys and girls.  

A tribute to the Scottish coach and management…you lead the way and instil the values…we see it with our Atlas Coaches.  Respect.  In parting don’t forget the words from Coach Xolani….”Concentration is the game…keep the rhythm if you can”!

All the best Team Scotland for the Cape Town 7s Tournament…..you have a whole lot more avid new supporters!