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Former French International rugby player; Serge Betsen has teamed up with Jason Roberts’ foundation to deliver rugby to young people in North West London.

Serge Betsen Rugby (SBR) was created in 2015 as part of Serge Betsen Consulting, to teach rugby and multisport to young people through a unique method mixing French and English standards and values.

SBR is a coaching programme that Serge Betsen created by going into schools and introducing students to the game. Since its creation, many partnerships were built to expand on their work, including the Jason Roberts Foundation.

The partnership rugby programme is delivered by SBR at JRF’s main delivery hub; the Pavilion in Stonebridge, where JRF has been delivering its programmes since 2007 engaging hard to reach young people aged 11-25 years old.

The programme is committed to use this unique sport to engage the local youths, enabling them to try out a new sport, keep them off the streets and out of trouble.

“This is an incredible programme that both my team and I are extremely happy to be a part of,” Said the former London Wasps player. “I first met the CEO; Otis Roberts, at an event in October last year and we started to talk about the work JRF is doing with young people and he expressed the Foundation’s interest in rugby.

“We both quickly realised that we are very passion about sport and how we can use sport to change young people’s lives for the better. In just a few months the rugby programme has already had an impact on many young people.

“You can tell that these young people have been coming to the JRF for years, but for the first time ever they have been introduced to rugby. The reactions we have had from the young people are fantastic.”

Betsen and his team delivered their first rugby session for JRF in January and they have since been involved with three half term programmes and weekly sessions.

Jason Roberts MBE, who is pleased to see the rugby legend coming on board as a partner, said: “It is an absolute pleasure working in partnership with Serge and his team.

“Their vision about using sport to changes lives falls right into our line of work and it has also been amazing having Serge’s support around events the Foundation has accommodated.”

The JRF hosted a Women’s Celebration Day in March as a part of the International Women’s Day at Ark Academy in Wembley.

The event was attended by more than 120 young females, who were introduced to six different sports and workshop on leadership with successful business women.

Betsen made a surprise visit at the event to show his support to the Foundation and Jason.

“It is incredible to see so many young females turning up and playing different sports all thanks to Jason and his Foundation,” Said Betsen. “The appeal of sport lies in its ability to bring people from various backgrounds together.”

Following a very fruitful start to the partnership, Betsen was invited to the JRF’s Celebration Dinner in April to sit on the sofa panel with Jason Roberts, Michail Antonio and Kelly Sotherton.

The panel was asked questions about their professional sports career and Betsen proudly talked about what rugby has given him and his family.

His career includes 63 international caps for French, 172 caps for Biarritz Olympique and he finished his career in London playing 79 games for London Wasps.

“Seeing so many people supporting the Foundation is incredible and it gives me a great pride to be asked to be on the sofa.

“This is only the beginning of a great partnership which strives to deliver positive activities and role models in the heart of our communities to improve young people at risk no matter of race, ethnic or ability.”

St. George’s University, Grenada last Tuesday hosted the Liverpool Legends at a sumptuous cocktail reception held at Caribbean House on the True Blue Campus.

The gathering provided an opportunity for St. George’s University to thank the Jason Roberts Foundation and in particular the Liverpool Legends for generously donating their time and their talent to a week of activities including a fundraiser and football match between the Liverpool Legends and the Grenada Select XI.  The week of activities were geared towards raising awareness, support and funds of and for the foundations aims of,

“encouraging young people in sporting activity, which will contribute to improving health and fitness, self esteem, confidence and social inclusion; and to participate in learning programmes that will enhance educational achievement.”

Representing the Legends were: Phil Thompson, Bruce Grobbelaar, Rob Jones, Jason McAteer, Gary Gillespie, Mark Wright, Phil Babb, Michael Thomas, John Durnin, Mark Walters,’ Paul Walsh.  On behalf of the foundation were Otis Roberts, CEO of the foundation and Gary Mulcahey, Caribbean Development Manager among others.  From St. George’s University were, Dr. Dennis Paul, Vice Provost for Institutional Advancement, Mr. George McGuire, Associate Dean School of Arts and Sciences and Mr. Trevor Noel, Assistant Director of WINDREF.Dr. Paul took the opportunity to share a little about SGU’s history and the chancellor’s vision. He expressed his hope that the Legends and the Jason Roberts Foundation would “continue the good work they had started here in Grenada”

Mr. George Macguire enthusiastically welcomed and thanked the team for the “sharing their talent with Grenadians” adding that the team members were clearly not yet over the hill and invited them to make repeat visits.

Mr. Otis Roberts, CEO of the Foundation was effusive in his gratitude on behalf of the Foundation.

“SGU making available buses and accommodation at the University Club over the duration of the trip and hosting a cocktail party at Caribbean House was invaluable in the co-ordination of the Week of Action and helped to make it a huge success.”

He agreed that the relationship between the Foundation and the University started with the Chancellor who on being approached for assistance replied, “you mix the cake and we’ll help you bake it”.    Mr. Roberts continued, “all we’ve ever wanted, we got and more and we are grateful for this strong relationship.”

In a thank you letter to St. George’s University, Mr. Roberts applauded the week of activities as “an outstanding success with the highlight being the match day event” where over 2000 participants attended the game versus The Grenada Select XI.

The university has been a premier supporter of the Jason Roberts Foundation from its inception in 2007 providing support in the form of administration, accommodation, receptions, educational facilities to support programmes run by the foundation, physical practice areas and transportation to name a few.

St. George’s University remains committed in their mission to keep education as their highest purpose, through development of intellectual capacity, creativity and professionalism.  In this regard, an ideal partnership has been forged with the Jason Roberts Foundation which champions community and youth development through education, taking seriously the relationship between healthy bodies and healthy minds.