Grassroots rugby promotion agency, the SA Rugby Legends Association (Sarla) thru their events company Sportsfan Eventing and sponsor @lantic Internet Services have raised almost R400,000 in support of former schools player Alwyn Nel, who is recovering from a spinal injury at the Pasteur Hospital’s rehabilitation unit in Bloemfontein.

The funds, raised at a dinner and auction before the Sharks vs Cheetahs game last weekend, will be used to secure ongoing income for Nel, who was injured during a game in July 2005.

Former Springbok player Andre Venter, who is recovering at the same hospital from a transverse myelitis infection that left him paralysed from the waist down, arranged the dinner and was the main driver behind the fund raiser, in support of Nel.

“The main purpose of the Legends brand worldwide is to highlight the need to support amateur rugby at all levels and our primary objective is to develop grassroots rugby,” says Sarla CEO John Allan. However as an organisation we realise that people are vital to the success of our sport and thus we must support them, especially if they are in need for moral, social or financial support to make their life that much better.

Sarla’s major projects include rugby clinics around the country, a partnership programme between top rugby schools and disadvantaged schools, and the Iqhawe social development program which involves former professional players in youth education around drugs, HIV/AIDS and life skills.

“We’re very proud to be associated with SA Rugby Legends and delighted that our first event with them has had such a good outcome,” says @lantic’s Managing Director Neil Meyer. “Alwyn Nel is a courageous young man who has taken huge inspiration from working alongside a legend like Andre Venter in the rehabilitation unit. It’s a great demonstration of the power of the concept of harnessing the skills and talents of our rugby legends to give back to the game of rugby.