Pretoria, 27 June 2023: Defender, the Worldwide Partner of Rugby World Cup 2023, has opened the doors for two South African youths to realise their ultimate dream of participating in the Rugby World Cup 2023. The greatest sporting event of the year is taking place in France from 8 September to 28 October.
Both ten years of age, Abner Spannenberg from Cape Town, Western Cape and Kellan Wild from Amanzimtoti, KwaZulu-Natal, are among the 96 inspirational children from 20 countries selected through the Defenders of Tomorrow Rugby World Cup Mascot Programme. The programme, which rewards the participants for their passion and commitment to changing the world for the better, allows young rugby fans the opportunity to experience RWC 2023 from the inside, by accompanying the captains of the different teams on the field at the start of each game.
The initiative reflects the joint commitment of Defender and World Rugby to a more sustainable future. It was conceived to unify young people who are actively trying to impact the future in a positive way, including those who protect the environment, take care of others and fight for equal opportunities – values that are dear to Defender and to rugby.
Defender aims to encourage this attitude by highlighting these remarkable children.
Defender will also donate R50 000 to each South African mascot in support of charity organisations of their choice.
Carmen Slade, Marketing Director: JLR South Africa and Sub-Sahara Africa, said: “Defenders of Tomorrow seeks to accelerate budding potential and inspire a generation through impactful and powerful storytelling. We aim to identify and celebrate ‘Game Changers’ who have overcome significant challenges and are embracing the impossible to drive positive societal change inspired by the values that are instilled through their participation in rugby.
“Amongst the dozens of entries we received for the SA Defenders of Tomorrow Mascot Programme, Abner and Kellan stood out for embodying the ethos of this initiative, and we hope that their story will inspire more South Africans, young and old, to be the catalysts of change to drive the country towards a better future.”
Abner’s passion for rugby was honed from the age of seven. He has since incorporated the values learned through his favourite sport, including integrity, passion, solidarity, discipline and respect as the building blocks of his character, on and off the pitch.
At age ten, Abner has taken it upon himself to help create a safe environment for children in this neighbourhood by picking up litter, including broken bottles and other unsightly items posing a health and safety hazard. His determination to help his community has inspired his friends and others in the community to join him in cleaning up their neighbourhood.
Kellan’s love for sports spans swimming, canoeing, motocross, football, cricket and rugby, which ranks top amongst his pastimes.
The young visionary has mobilised his family, friends and neighbours to join Waste Lands, a community-led recycling programme, with the aim of preserving the planet for future generations.
His passion for recycling has garnered Kellen one of his greatest achievements to date: appointment as children’s ambassador for the recycling efforts at next year’s Splashy Fen family festival. The forward-thinking Kellen already plans to use the trash collected from the event to make unique crafts with some of his sporting friends and peers from school, where he is also in the process of starting a recycling programme.
“We owe our gratitude to organisations like SA Rugby Legends, Vuka Rugby, JAG Rugby Foundation, and many others around the country, that have made it their vocation to guide young people like Abner and Kellan in more than just their conduct on the pitch, but also to highlight the importance of the positive impact that they can have on the communities in which they live,” said Slade.
Bryan Habana, Rugby World Cup Winner said: “It is a great privilege for these young South Africans to be chosen to participate at the highest level in world rugby. The opportunity granted by Defender through the Defenders of Tomorrow Mascot Programme is unprecedented, and we hope it will inspire other youngsters across our nation to pursue their dream of a career in rugby and to weave the ideals of the sport into all aspects of their life.”
The Rugby World Cup France 2023 kicks off on 8 September at Stade de France in Paris, with the final scheduled for 28 October. Abner and Kellan’s participation at the event will be fully funded by Defender as part of the Defenders of Tomorrow Rugby World Cup Mascot Programme.
Friends and family in South Africa can spot our local mascots on 10 September when South Africa takes on Scotland in Marseille and again on 23 September as the Springboks face Ireland in Paris.
