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Vineyards RFC’s helping hand in Paarl

PUBLISHED: April 21, 2020


Members of Vineyards RFC in Paarl have reached out to the local community in Paarl during the lockdown, delivering food parcels to those in need with the permission of the SAPS.

Driven by Head Coach Aslam Abrahams and Executive member Moegammad Patel, with a letter of permission from the local SAPS in Paarl, the rugby club is doing what they can to support the most vulnerable in their community.

What started out as a way to help club rugby players who were too hungry to train during lockdown has since grown into a community outreach project, showing how rugby can be the catalyst for making a difference in people’s lives.

The current nationwide lockdown has left many people without the means to put food on the table, and the players and management of Vineyards RFC, including DHL Stormers lock Salmaan Moerat, have decided to do what they can to help their fellow man.

Individuals and families in the local community have been identified and supported by the delivery of food parcels, all with the blessing and support of the South African Police Service, who have granted special letters of permission for the deliveries to take place.

Thanks to valuable support from RIWA (Rural Islamic Welfare Association) the food parcels have been put together at Vineyards RFC, with players and management authorised by SAPS to be out during the lockdown delivering them from there.

Moerat said that it is fantastic to see the rugby community standing together in this way.

“Rugby clubs like Vineyards RFC are the heart and soul of our communities and it is inspiring to see everyone pulling together in difficult times like this.

“I am proud to be associated with a club that gives back in this way and would like to urge anyone who can support this initiative to get involved and support those who are under pressure at this time,” he said.