Old Mutual staff volunteerism programme is changing communities for the better

BRONSON WEIR – BELHAR RUGBY CLUB

 The game of rugby is more than just a sport. It creates a sense of community for both players and the supporters. This is one of the most important roles that it has played to Bronson Weir from Belhar in Cape Town. Weir’s passion for the game grew as a young boy when rugby took away the dangers of ending up in troublesome situations.

Now, many years down the line, Weir was recognised as Old Mutual’s most outstanding volunteer by combining his love for playing rugby, and his volunteering efforts to develop youth in the area.

A marketing consultant at Old Mutual for the past four years and a rugby player himself, Weir recognised the need for school rugby to receive proper conditioning and support, so he started coaching at Excelsior High school in 2007. He saw the opportunity to secure additional financial support – from the Old Mutual Foundation and registered his organisation as part of the staff volunteerism programme.

The Belhar Rugby Club now has a practice facility that is home to four league rugby teams; both boys and girl schools rugby, as well as a gym facility. Earlier this year, the club hosted the Springboks as part of the #LoveRugby campaign, which proved to be a great success and offered the club an opportunity to showcase its exceptional facility available to players and teams alike.

Weir believes there is a great synergy between rugby and work and said that “through the game of rugby, we can install discipline and focus. It teaches you to play and work together as a team and these are invaluable skills to have in a work place environment as well. ”

 One of Weir’s coaching career highlights was: “seeing the guys succeed on a provisional level. Knowing that we are able to supply a talented player with all the support and conditioning that he needs to reach his full potential. Often it’s the case that these guys don’t have any support available due to their underprivileged backgrounds. Being part of a programme that can change that – is very humbling.”

Illustrating the impact that support can make, is Weir’s story of Dennis Cox, current fly-half for the DHL Western Provence team. He coached him from the age of 12 and watched him grow into a skilled and successful young man, despite difficult circumstances. Weir hopes for many more of these stories to come out of the Belhar Rugby Club.

With the R20 000. 00 prize money that Weir has received for his award, his dream is one step closer to becoming a reality.  “With more of the community’s children paying an interest in fitness, it means more and more we can keep children off the streets where they remain vulnerable.” says Weir.

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