Question NW4203 to the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture
14 December 2023 - NW4203
Mhlongo, Mr TW to ask the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture
Whether the Government will support the SA Rugby Union (SARU) in their next bid to host the Rugby World Cup; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, how will the Government ensure that SARU drives transformation in rugby in all (a) communities and (b) schools to give every rugby player the same opportunity to play for the Springboks?
Reply:
Government decision to support or not support any bid to host major international sport events in country, including a bid by SARU, is based on the merits or demerits and motivating factors of the application as submitted at that time. All applications to host major sporting events in the country must be aligned with the bidding and hosting regulations.
(a). As part of the annual transfer, the Department provides financial support to SARU which is earmarked for programmes aimed at transformation in communities. These programmes include get into rugby, rugby for people for people with disability and the women’s rugby programmes.
(b). Through Club Development Programme, Rugby receives support in rural areas to support the leagues and train coaches and referees.
Each province makes provision through the conditional grant to support priority codes.
Rugby is one of the 16 priority codes that are part of the School Sport Programme. And as result, they receive support from provincial departments, through the Conditional Grant, to:
- Conduct capacity building programmes, which are meant to empower educators to train as coaches and managers of Rugby, with the view to promote participation in Rugby in schools.
- Participate at the district and provincial championships.
- Also receives support to participate at the National School Sport Championships.
- Benefits from the provision of equipment and attire to enable schools to participate.