The 1995 Rugby World Cup was a massive turning point for South Africa. The Springboks’ victory brought the rainbow nation together in an unprecedented moment of celebration, unity and pride. Rugby, seen as a symbol of division for so long, had brought the nation together under one flag.
That moment of hope and pride left a legacy, one that is visible in the Connect Sports Academy. Under the direction of Murray Ingram, the programme takes young kids with raw talent from disadvantaged communities in Cape Town and gives them access to opportunities through the sport of rugby. The kids are trained like professional athletes all year round. Rugby demands incredible toughness, tenacity and dedication, qualities that this group has in buckets. The academy’s success has seen it recognised as the winner of the 2016 SA Sport Industry Development Programme of the Year.
What Ingram finds most impressive about the group of boys is their intelligence and commitment to taking on obstacles. And despite all the challenges, Ingram has never given up on the boys and they have never given up on him.
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