It was the first time to our knowledge and the RFU that a club had hosted a team from overseas and it will act as a template for additional clubs to welcome children into their community to create the long-term relationships that will last a lifetime.

BSRFC had a profound effect not only on the players but also their coaches and their representatives. David Gilbert, President of the Botswana Rugby union, stated, “touraid and BSRFC have no idea of the impact they are making to these children, the Thalemo project and rugby in general in Botswana. Due to this tour the people in Botswana have realised that not all promises will be broken and that through rugby’s positive role models, a choice and hope will now be available to many of the children who otherwise would be without any framework for good in their lives.”

The boys have retuned to Gaborone as heroes and will be playing a curtain raiser before Botswana play Swaziland in the crucial IRB World Cup qualifier watched by the other 500 Thalemo children being bussed in by the Botswana Rugby Union.

Paul Walsh, the manager of the Tiger Cubs made up of children from the Kalinga Institute, Future Hope in Calcutta and from Manipur  added, “I have no doubt that these boys will use the whole experience as a springboard in their lives. They have grown in confidence and developed personally and have a real understanding of the need for teamwork. We have all been overwhelmed by the generosity and kindness shown by the good people of bishop’s Stortford.”

Paul Walsh has been the driving force behind the Jungle Crows, based at the Kalinga Institute in Orissa that educated tribal children. The Jungle Crows hope to construct the first purpose built rugby pitch in India as a base for developing not only the incredible talent (Jungle crows won the touraid Cup in 2007) but also the dedicated and remarkable young coaches.

“Through Jungle Crows we hope to set up an academy where the coaches for India’s rugby future can develop and give some of the poorest boys and girls a chance to be involved in the rugby family,” Walsh added.
The organisation at BSRFC left no stone unturned as the Vultures and the Tiger Cubs were treated to many new experiences. The itinerary included designing pendants and T-shirts, a Thames river cruise, a flight on the London Eye, the Twickenham experience, a tour of Harlequins Rugby Club, a training session with Saracens and meeting some of the players including Chris jack (who taught all 36 boys how to do the Hakka!) and playing for the first time on grass in boots!

The festival, watched by BBC Personality and touraid Trustee John Inverdale, included two local teams from Saffron Waldron RFC and Hertford RFC as well as West of Scotland RFC from Glasgow. All succumbed to the charm and spirit of the tourists and Saffron Waldron will be hosting two similar teams in 2009!

It is a testament to John Cullen, Julie Smith and Matthew Watkin, the Festival committee at BSRFC as well as their army of helpers, sponsors and suppliers who supported the project with such enthusiasm that the week was such a success.

John Cullen stated, “BSRFC see the week as the beginning of the relationship and  not the end. We look forward to many years of continued collaboration with the Tiger Cubs and the Vultures.”
Indeed one only had to witness the goodbyes after a fun packed week so see the true love and bonds generated between the families and their guests.

BSRFC has been galvanised to achieve the goals set and we at touraid know the benefits everyone involved gains from the experience. We look forward to replicating this success at all clubs with the vision and drive displayed at Bishop’s Stortford.

Thank you to everyone involved, the host families, players, children and the Club Committee. It really was a wonderful week.