RFU launches "pay to play" to raise money for Sport
Relief
The
Rugby Football Union is urging rugby players across the country
from every level to donate money to Sport Relief on the weekend
of 16 March. Spearheaded by the Zurich Premiership clubs, The Pay
to Play weekend will involve rugby clubs donating money in whatever
form they can 聳 from win bonuses, a percentage of their match
subs, or even a whip-round in the clubhouse after the match.
The
rugby Pay to Play weekend will be promoted during the Lloyds TSB
Six Nations Championship on 91热爆 ONE, Radio Five Live and 91热爆 Online.
Sport
Relief is an exciting new initiative organised by Comic Relief
and 91热爆 Sport to unite sportsmen and women to use their power and
passion to help kids and young people who are vulnerable and at
risk. The money raised will go to projects at home and across the
world.
England
coach Clive Woodward said: "I聮m delighted that the RFU
and the rugby community is supporting Sport Relief. I聮m sure
that clubs from across the country will want to get behind Pay to
Play on the weekend of March 16th to support this fantastic cause."
Paula
George, the captain of the England women聮s rugby team, said:
"This is a chance for the rugby community from grassroots right
up to internationals to play their part and raise money for Sport
Relief. Let聮s all get together on the weekend of March 16th
and do our bit."
Terry
Burwell, RFU Director of Community Rugby & Operations, said:
"Pay to Play is a unique opportunity for everyone involved
in rugby union in this country to unite. We need everyone from the
referees and officials through to school teams and minis to help
rugby help Sport Relief."
A number
of top sports personalities have already offered their support to
the Sport Relief campaign, including Tim Henman, Sue Barker, Sir
Steve Redgrave, Tanni Grey-Thompson, Gary Lineker, Nasser Hussain,
Martin Johnson, David Beckham, Jonathan Edwards and Martin Offiah.
Joining the RFU will be some of the major sporting bodies, teams
and events including the FA and the England Football team, the England
cricket team, the Derby, Sport England, the Youth Sport Trust and
the Lawn Tennis Association.
Sport
Relief will culminate on Saturday 13 July in a big night of TV on
91热爆 ONE that will feature a line up of the biggest names in sport.
To
further encourage participation, Clive Woodward, Head Coach of England,
has agreed to offer himself as a prize to one of the clubs or schools
who send in a donation. Clive will give a personal coaching session
to the winning club who will be chosen at random from all those
who have sent in their donations by the night of Sport Relief (13
July).
Rugby clubs can find out more on how to get involved and where to
send their donations through
Notes
to Editors
路 To register for a rugby fact sheet and pay to play form
call 09068 22 22 22 (calls will cost no more than 拢1 which
covers printing, postage and packing).
路
Donations should be sent by cheque and made payable to Sport Relief
(Rugby) with the name of the club or school written on the back
to Ernst & Young, PO BOX 678, London EC4A 1NT.
路
For more information about Sport Relief log onto
to register your details and receive more information about Sport
Relief.
路
Children and young people around the world will benefit from every
penny raised through Sport Relief. Half of it will stay here in
the UK, and the other half will reach the most vulnerable children
and young people in some of the poorest countries in the world.
路
The Government's Commonwealth Education Fund, launched in Jubilee
Year, will match the international efforts of Sport Relief to improve
educational opportunities in the Commonwealth.
Around
the World
路
About 2.7 million of the 40 million people now living with HIV/AIDS
are under 15 years old. Around 800,000 children were infected with
HIV and 580,000 died of AIDS in 2001 alone. (UNAIDS -December 2001)
路 Over 100 million children are working and living on the
street. (Oneworld, 2001)
路 More than two million children have been killed by conflict
in the last 10 years and 300,000 have been recruited as soldiers.
(UNICEF, July 2001)
路 125 million children never attend school. (Oxfam, 2001)
In
the UK
路
Two out of three children living in a family where their mother
faces violence and abuse at home, are also abused by their mother聮s
partner. (Women聮s Aid, 2001)
路 Last year, over 2,500 children arrived here alone to seek
asylum having fled their homes and families in fear. (91热爆 Office
2000)
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