Hot on the heels of the British and Irish Rugby Lions, pupils from Castle Rushen High School, Castletown are currently on the sporting and cultural trip of a life time to South Africa.
The school’s Under 17 rugby squad, together with members of the Under 16 and Under 17 netball teams, left Manx shores on 17th July.
During their two week itinerary, the Castle Rushen teams will each play a round of four matches against local South African schools, during which the visitors expect to face some fierce competition.
But whilst the trip will provide local youngsters with a golden opportunity to demonstrate their sporting prowess, they will also be embarking on a number of important cultural activities.
The pupils are set to make a poignant visit to an orphanage near Pretoria which was previously visited on a trip Castle Rushen High School made to South Africa in 2005.
Since then, the school has maintained strong links with the orphanage and continued to raise funds for its upkeep.
They’re also scheduled to visit a game reserve, a cultural village to see African rural life and a township outside Cape Town, which is home to over 70,000 inhabitants.
Their sports kit has been provided by the tour’s main sponsors, Friends Provident International (FPI).
Wishing the school every success, FPI’s General Manager, Jonathan Hall said 'In the 30 years that FPI has been established in Castletown, we have always endeavoured to provide support across a broad section of the community and to encourage personal development where possible.
'Engaging with and promoting local schools is an integral part of that commitment.
'So it is with great pleasure that we lend our support to the staff and pupils of Castle Rushen School on this trip of a lifetime to South Africa.
'Not simply because of the sporting challenges that lie ahead for the rugby and netball teams, but also because of the emphasis that Castle Rushen is placing on the community support focus of the trip'.
And in a reference to the recent high profile sporting encounter which took place on the sub-continent, Mr Hall added 'Unlike the British and Irish Lions, let’s hope they all return with a series victory'.
In addition to FPI, other Isle of Man companies which have supported the trip are Heritage Homes, Capital International, Microgaming, Aon, Tower Insurance, Castletown Insurance, Auldyn Construction, PDMS, Mayerton and MannVend.
Pictured: Jonathan Hall, General Manager of Friends Provident International (centre), with Castle Rushen High School teachers and members of the school’s netball and rugby teams.
