A young rugby player from Hanover Park is gearing up to represent South Africa at an international sports tournament.
Chadwin May, 15, who has been playing for Primrose Rugby Club for four years was recently scouted during a tournament in George to play for the national rugby team of Southern Cape Sports Tours in their upcoming tour in New Zealand.
Chadwin is one of 2 500 children, from various sporting codes, who will be leaving in September and was selected from a group of 400 rugby players from across South Africa.
Now his proud parents, Charlton and Tania, are aiming to raise the R40 000 needed for the trip.
Charlton, 36, says playing rugby helped his son focus on his goals.
“He started when he was 11 and we took him to Primrose because there are no clubs in Hanover Park and the schools don’t offer rugby,” he says.
PROUD MAMA: Tania May
“He used to be wild like young boys are, but is now settled and focuses on his schoolwork and his rugby.”
The Grade 8 learner at Mount View High School is a strong supporter of the Springboks and the Stormers, “but my favourite rugby player is Kieran Read, the captain of the All Blacks because he plays the lock position like me. I want to play rugby professionally one day,” he says.
Charlton says both he and his wife are unemployed, but will soon start hosting fundraisers.
“Last year he was also selected, but we couldn’t send him because we didn’t have the funds.
“This year we will start early. It is hard to raise a child in Hanover Park with all the gang fights and the drugs. If you look at most boys his age you will see they are already walking around with guns,” he says.
If you would like to help Chadwin, call his father on 074 951 9776.