TEN youngsters from Sierra Leone will get the chance of a lifetime next month thanks to Caldy RFC and St Anselm’s College.
The team from St Francis School in the city of Makeni will be one of five sides from some of the most deprived areas of the world taking part in the Caldy Touraid Festival at Paton Field on Sunday, September 26.
Sierra Leone is not a country known for its rugby union. In fact, it has largely stayed out of the news in recent years since the civil war of the 1990s which ravaged the West African country.
Slowly, it’s getting back on its feet and despite high unemployment there is now a degree of optimism.
Playing a small part in the fight for regeneration is St Anselm’s College, which together with Caldy and children’s charity Touraid, is helping to bring youngsters aged 12 to 14 on a week-long tour to Wirral. The focus point will be an international festival at the club.
St Anselms College, which has long established links with the children from St Francis School, Makene, will be hosting the children and excitement is growing.