Bank donates to youth rugby

MONDAY, DEC. 10: The Bermuda Rugby Union received a cash boost to help with its youth development programme.

The Bank of N.T. Butterfield & Son Limited today made a donation of $2,210 to the BFRU. 

The funds were raised during the World Rugby Classic through a raffle for an official World Rugby Classic match ball signed by Classic Lion players and a silent auction of an official Classic Lion Rugby jersey also signed by Classic Lion players.

The cheque was presented to Patrick Calow, Rugby Youth Development Officer, who oversees all youth rugby on the island, including the Sunday Rugby Programme.

Calow is also the head coach of Beyond Rugby Bermuda, a partnership between the Family Centre and the Bermuda Rugby Football Union. It is a rugby-based youth development programme that uses rugby to help at-risk kids graduate from Middle and High School and help them stay out of gangs.

Calow said: “On behalf of the Bermuda Rugby Football Union, I would like to thank Butterfield for organising the raffle and silent auction. Funds will be used to help build on the success we’ve had in getting more kids interested and involved in rugby.”

Nir Sadeh, senior vice president, Private Banking at Butterfield, said: “As we see every year at the Classic, rugby is a sport that brings the island together, and we are pleased to support its development in Bermuda.  In particular, we are proud to support the Rugby Football Union’s efforts to expose more kids to rugby as a positive sport and pastime.”

Sadeh also thanked John Kane of the World Rugby Classic who was instrumental in obtaining the Lions’ signatures on the jersey and ball, and assisted with the raffle.