RUGBY is adding a fresh dimension to the Balls To Poverty programme, which uses coaching skills and new sports equipment to help change lives in poor townships.

A touring rugby side of students and academy players has been undefeated in South Africa for two years – and organisers hope that partnerships that are being formed could there could bear further fruit.

Nottingham Rugby's John Widdowson, the club's academy director, is hoping to forge a link with Stellenbosch University in Cape Town.

The university is renowned for its rugby programme and has developed some of the best South African players in the game.

Mr Widdowson said: "More players have participated in Balls To Poverty in 2009 after joining the programme last year, and we hope this can be increased further.

"From being involved in the programme there have been a lot of important links made.

"Local clubs and higher education faculties in South Africa will hopefully develop really positive relationships which may lead to player exchanges.

"It may take time – but the first foundations have been made and a lot of interest has been shown."

A total of 1,000 rugby balls have been distributed in South Africa this year, in addition to 2,000 footballs.

Football coaching clinics have been run alongside rugby sessions and set up in townships by 34 young people on the tour.

The sessions offer children from townships positive role models and alternative activities in areas of high unemployment, poor education and gang culture.

The coaching sessions have been stepped up and 800 more rugby balls have been distributed, compared to 2008. Rugby balls donated in the township will feature in coaching sessions after the tour ends.

The Balls To Poverty team defeated Surrey Rangers 17-10 this year, while Violets Rugby Club, from Landsdowne, ground out a scoreless draw.

Players also had chance to see Stellenbosch University's stadium and also visited Newlands Stadium, one of the homes of South African rugby and comparable to Twickenham.

Matt Thomas, 18, from Ruddington said: "The Newlands stadium was amazing and older than I thought it was.

"I had seen international games at Newlands on television before but I did not know much about the stadium.

"We got a tour and saw the whole of the ground.

"It is a similar stadium to the Telstra Dome Stadium in Australia, where England won the World Cup.

"Newlands was a bit smaller – but was just as awe-inspiring.

"It was amazing to visit Stellenbosch University and I would love to study and play rugby there.

"We saw some pitches that are in a remote area there – Australia have had 'secret' training sessions there."

Nottingham Rugby Academy player, Joe Pass, 17, of Derby, said: "Rugby in South Africa is much bigger than it is here and the stadiums and facilities we saw were brilliant.

"The stadium at Stellenbosch University was so good compared to the stadiums you might get at universities in England.

"I really enjoyed the coaching too – it has really helped my studies here.

"We had to demonstrate a lot of things to get over the language barrier."

Nottingham Rugby prop Neil Fowkes, who tutors at the college and toured with the players, said: "It has been a fantastic success in terms of football and rugby players working together and learning from one another.

"In the matches we have played there has been a mixing of cultures between South Africans and English and the integration has been great to watch.

"Barriers have been broken down and we will take a lot of lessons back to the UK."

In Manenberg township, Cape Town, a parade was organised to welcome the rugby team, which featured South Nottingham College students and Nottingham Rugby Academy players.

They were due to face the township's local team but the pitch in Manenberg proved unplayable.

The risk from debris and broken glass on the pitch was too great – yet children in bare feet use it daily. Local councillors at the event were told of the need for better facilities.

Boebie Cassiem is founder of Stepping Stones, an organisation which helps to develop sport in Cape Town's townships.

He is Balls To Poverty's partner in Cape Town and organised the match and the parade.

"The game [could not] go ahead and I understand why," he said.

"This shows our local councillors the need for funding to improve the pitch, especially if we are having to call off games with touring teams."

After the match was called off, a coaching clinic was organised for the township's youngsters and the day was soon salvaged.

Student Reice Rhodes, 17, from Bulwell, said: "I have never coached like this before but I loved it.

"There was a bit of a language barrier at first but you communicate through actions and the groups we take are soon working smoothly.

"Coming here has made me learn that I have to appreciate things more at home.

"I'm now aiming to go as far as I can in sport and knuckle down at college to get the job I want."

Academy player Russ Westcott, 19, of Southwell, said: "The whole experience has made me realise how lucky I am in England – and has helped to develop my rugby so much."

michael.greenwell@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk