The street kids and ‘Area Boys’, many of whom are unemployed and survive on less than a dollar a day, now have the opportunity to experience fun and excitement as a way to fight their way out of the poverty trap of unemployment, drugs, violence and HIV/AIDS. The Club now boasts teams from juniors through to a senior side that defeated a Royal Navy ship team in December.

The boys arrived early in the morning at Heathrow to be greeted by all their hosts from Papplewick School. Despite the long flight, the boys were excited, having been pampered by the British Airways staff and fellow passengers. They brushed off the cobwebs with a training session at the school in the morning and the talent in the team was very much on display. Already the Nigerian youngsters and their hosts are beginning to bond and it looks as if this will be a wonderful tour for everyone involved.

Papplewick School firmly believes that enthusiasm for life, contributing to the community and kindness to others are vital qualities to learn early and for this reason embraced the idea of welcoming a team from Nigeria. During their stay the boys will be provided with a secure and educational experience with both the parents and within the school community. Papplewick are also providing all the travel within the UK and have organised a day out at Wasps with the help of former pupil and England star, James Haskell.

Addax Petroleum have sponsored the team’s flights and touraid have assisted with the visas, insurance and entrance into the Rosslyn Park National Schools Sevens, the world’s largest rugby tournament.

Tom Bunbury, Headmaster of Papplewick said, “It is a privilege to be hosting boys from a background that is so different to that of the boys who come to Papplewick, many of whom go on to Eton and Harrow. In playing a small part in giving the Addax boys what should be the adventure of a lifetime, I have no doubt that our boys will gain at least as much from the experience through the horizons that are broadened and the friendships that are formed. As former Rosslyn Park 7’s winners ourselves, we look forward to supporting the Addax team not just on Monday but long into the future through on-going support for the inspirational work that is taking place at Addax RFC.”

Peter Ferguson, the founder of the rugby club said, “Lagos is a tough city and has terrible slums. We are trying to create a blue print of a rugby club of excellence that can be initiated across the Niger Delta to provide these kids with more hope for the future. It is difficult as we have limited resources, as do the schools we are approaching and it is a very tough environment to work in. But
Addax Petroleum is really embracing the concept and feel it is part of their corporate and social responsibility to help support the club as well as leading the way for other corporates in Nigeria. We have uncovered some amazing raw talent amongst all ages of players and rugby is helping to give these children back their self respect and importantly, provide a voice to the voiceless.”

Addax, Papplewick School and touraid see this as an ongoing relationship between the parties and the week tour will be the start of sustained support for the children in Nigeria and many others in their community.

Andy Berry of touraid concluded, “We are really pleased to help Addax RFC with their first overseas trip. Peter has established a great club and is encouraging young Nigerians to lead the development of the club with coaching and administration. It truly is an inspirational story about how sport crosses religious divides (some players are Muslim and others Christian) and provides positive role models for the boys and girls from these communities in Nigeria.