Investec, the leading financial services group and title sponsor of the Investec Champions Cup, today announces a three-year partnership with School of Hard Knocks (SOHK), a social inclusion charity that uses sport to teach valuable skills to underprivileged people; helping them to achieve out-of-the-ordinary results.
Through the partnership, Investec will provide participating children with career insights and development days. It will also support SOHK with strategic business mentorship to grow the charity, as it looks to expand and develop its programmes for underprivileged communities.
SOHK works with over 1,400 pupils across 30 schools in England, Scotland and Wales. Programmes combine rugby with specialist 1-1 mentoring and group sessions that explore a range of issues from emotional control and building resilience to ‘why school’ and planning for the best possible future.
These programmes highlight how rugby can act as a vehicle to deliver positive social change, combined with personal development and mentoring, and, as a result, enrich the lives of those living in underprivileged communities.
The announcement comes following the Investec School of Hard Knocks Girls rugby tournament, hosted at Eton Manor RFC, where more than 100 girls came together to compete and exemplify the core values of rugby both on and off the pitch.
Commenting on the partnership, Tim Burnell, Investec UK & International Chief Marketing Officer said,
“At Investec, we are firmly rooted in our purpose to create enduring worth, and recognise the potential of grassroots sports-based programmes to deliver long-term and tangible benefits to individuals and communities. Our partnership with the School of Hard Knocks will help us to play our part in levelling an uneven playing field. In time, we expect our partnership to bring about meaningful change, using rugby as a vehicle to support and develop our younger generations”.
Ken Cowen, SOHK Chief Executive Officer & Founder said,
“School of Hard Knocks is excited to embark on this transformative journey with Investec. Together we aim to reach even greater heights in unlocking the potential of our participants, providing them with the tools and support they need to thrive both on and off the field. With Investec’s invaluable support, we are poised to expand our reach and deepen our impact, enriching the lives of many young people in underserved communities”.
In partnering with SOHK, it expands Investec’s commitment in rugby adding to its title partnership of the Investec Champions Cup.
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