The long-running SOS Kit Aid has become the second organisation to be shortlisted for the 2018 Rhino Grass Roots Rugby Award.
Now in its 18th year, SOS Kit Aid has delivered more than £6m-worth of quality used and new kit to some 44 emerging rugby nations across the world, including those as far afield as South America and Asia, and in doing so helping over 250,000 disadvantaged youngsters. In the last year alone it has made more than 40 kit deliveries including the first one ever to Sri Lanka.
The three finalists going to the public vote are:
SOS Kit Aid was founded by rugby dad John Broadfoot following a visit to Romania. Since then, SOS Kit Aid has been collecting unwanted from schools, clubs, companies and universities and redistributing it across the less fortunate members of the rugby diaspora.
Reg Clark, CEO, Rhino, said: “SOS Kit Aid have consistently been doing such a good job that they deserve every recognition. They’re now very much part of the fabric of the game and the work they do really showcases the best of what rugby is about as they continue to help those who really need it.”
John Broadfoot, CEO, SOS Kit Aid, said: “SOS Kit Aid has been operating for over 17 years, during which time we have recycled enough quality used/new rugby kit from UK rugby clubs/schools to enable over a quarter a million of disadvantaged youngsters in 44 emerging rugby countries around the world, to play rugby.
Kit Aid has been operating for over 17 years, during which time we have recycled enough quality used/new rugby kit from UK rugby clubs/schools to enable over a quarter a million of disadvantaged youngsters in 44 emerging rugby countries around the world, to play rugby.
“At the same time we have saved over 750 tonnes of environmentally damaging CO2 emissions , because our recycled kit means kit does not need to be manufactured. We are delighted to have our work recognised by being shortlisted for the prestigious Rhino Rugby Grassroots Rugby Award. “
For more information on SOS Kit Aid, click here.
There will be four nominated finalists for the Rhino Grass Roots Rugby Award, with the other two following in the coming months. The winner will be announced in December.
For more information on the award, email info@rhinorugby.com
Previous winners of the Rhino Grassroots Rugby Award
2015 TAG RUGBY TRUST (UK)
2016 KAMPUCHEA BALOPP (Cambodia)
2017 SKRUM (Swaziland)