England internationals spread Child Victims of Crime message in South Africa

by Julia Hutton
June 18th, 2009



England Women internationals Sarah Hunter and Vicky Massarella are helping to spread the Child Victims of Crime (CVOC) Police Charity’s safety message to young South African children in Pretoria.

In conjunction with the Rugby Football Union and CVOC the two players, who helped England to a fourth consecutive RBS 6 Nations crown in March, will travel to South Africa next week for five days. They’ll be joined by 16 Year 9 boys and girls from English schools who have been specially chosen for this once in a lifetime opportunity.

During their trip the players and children will deliver Tag Rugby coaching sessions for primary aged children, take in cultural visits and will watch the second South Africa versus British & Irish Lions Test.

Flanker Hunter, who plays for Lichfield and is also an RFU Yazoo Tag Ambassador, said: “As a RFU Tag Ambassador I have seen the great work the CVOC charity do in using tag to promote children’s safety, health and welfare through coaching support given to schools by trained Police staff. The chance to be part of the group that will help launch the programme in South Africa, the first outside the UK, is a fantastic once in a lifetime opportunity.”

Saracens player Massarella, who announced her international retirement this week after gaining 23 caps for England, added: “I’m really excited about working with the CVOC charity and spreading their message in South Africa through tag rugby. I feel strongly about the work that the charity does and believe that it really makes a difference to millions of young peoples’ lives.

“The young sportsmen and women on the trip will have an unbelievable experience that they will never forget. Teaching rugby to some of the children in the schools out there will be a huge experience for me and will enable me to spread the CVOC message through my love of rugby.”

The Child Victims of Crime is the only National Police Children's Charity and was founded by the British Police Rugby Section. Its purpose is to support children whose lives have been affected by crime.

In conjunction with i2 Limited and the RFU, CVOC also operate an annual Tag Rugby tournament, from Tag to Twickenham, that has repeatedly proved to be a huge success with all the organisers and attendees.

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