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Supported by the British High Commission in South Africa, former England sevens rugby Captain turned recent Clipper 2013-14 Round the World Yacht Race sailor, Ollie Phillips, is currently touring South Africa working to educate disadvantaged youth groups.

Ollie was invited over by the British High Commission as a GREAT Britain ambassador for the recent Rugby World Cup trophy tour of South Africa.  The trophy tour also included a community coaching programme, led by Coaching for Hope, a British organisation working internationally to support vulnerable, at risk local youth groups within their local communities.

“I’ve faced some tough situations on the rugby field and at sea recently with the Clipper Race, but those feel marginal compared to the daily challenges that are faced by the young people I’ve met here in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Swaziland,” said Ollie Phillips.

He continued: “Sport is a crucial tool for building confidence and life skills, as well as providing simple joy and friendship. It has been a huge and memorable privilege for me to be a part of this transformational programme.”

Organisations Ollie visited included; TAG Rugby’s ‘Learn to Earn’ programme in Cape Town with the organisations ambassador, South African Sevens Captain Kyle Brown; the Inner City Ambassadors Street Children Project in Johannesburg; the JAG Foundation – an anti-bullying scheme in Cape Town; and SKRUM Rugby a charity working with youth at risk of HIV/AIDS in Swaziland.

Chris Trott the UK Consul General in South Africa said: “Ollie has inspired all those he has met and trained, both in South Africa and in Swaziland. He has been an excellent representative for the UK and has again shown the power that sport has to change lives”

Norman Brook, Regional Programme Manager for Coaching for Hope in Southern Africa said: “Coaching for Hope was established worldwide to provide sports coaching and positive youth engagement programmes to young people facing personal and social challenges.

“Ollie Phillips has used his impressive sports experiences to provide some highly motivational coaching experiences and personal insights to our coaches and young South Africans, which we hope will have a lasting effect on their developments as confident people with bright futures.”

Ollie visited Cape Town last October whilst competing aboard the GREAT Britain team in the Clipper 2013-14 Round the World Yacht Race, the world’s longest ocean challenge.

Following his race experience, Ollie has joined race organisers Clipper Ventures to work with team sponsors and race host ports, to build inspirational sports partnerships at home and around the world.