Category: Rugby, Community
When Mr Lamont asked me to write a review about the life and contributions of Wilson Dlamini to the College and to the charity SKRUM, I was immediately interested in the opportunity to spend some time researching a project that I have heard much about in recent terms and someone whose name has been praised repeatedly.
As part of a long standing relationship between the Swaziland-based charity SKRUM and Marlborough College, Wilson Dlamini has joined the College this Michaelmas Term as part of a Rugby Coach Development Placement.
In Swaziland, Wilson found his way into the framework of SKRUM when he spent three years as a volunteer helping the president and founder of the charity, Michael Collinson. His friend and mentor, Michael, is wheelchair-bound following a car accident in 2002. However, out of adversity has come a truly motivating tale, as Michael and his wife Linda decided to set up SKRUM, a charity which takes rugby and HIV education into local schools. Michael's strength and courageous attitude, unsurprisingly, are a fantastic inspiration to all those who hear of his story and are involved in the game and the charity.
In 2003, Michael won the 'Spirit of Rugby' award, presented by the game's world governing body, the IRB. No words could better describe the ethos of the charity. The team spirit the SKRUM coaches foster within schools and communities and the drive and commitment to furthering education and awareness mirror that of the game - and the award goes to show that SKRUM perfectly represents the way in which the IRB would like the game to be portrayed and the positive qualities it aims to encourage in players and supporters alike.
The development of the partnership between SKRUM and Marlborough is an interesting story. Mr Lamont, our Head of Upper School, often saw the SKRUM logo on school buildings when he was on teaching exchange in Swaziland in 2009 and then read about the charity in an edition of Rugby World whilst waiting in a dental waiting room. On his next trip to Swaziland he, by chance, met Michael and asked whether SKRUM would consider hosting the Marlborough rugby team on tour of Southern Africa in July 2010. A game against the Swaziland U19 game was swiftly set up and the partnership has blossomed since. Mr Harrison, our director of Rugby, has been at the heart of the partnership and has mentored Wilson during the course of this term.
The pupils on the Wilderness Trips of July 2010 and 2011 have also worked alongside the SKRUM team. Ben Grimshaw, a member of Upper Sixth in Preshute, took part in the Wilderness Trip in July 2011 where he met Wilson. The message of SKRUM left its impact on Ben who told me, "What he does out there is fantastic". The devastating toll HIV/AIDS has had on the people of Africa has called for charities like SKRUM to give urgent aid and education to those whose lives are inescapably affected by the virus. Without charities like this, platforms for education about the deadly virus would not exist and the youth of Africa would have no chance of a way out of the terrible cycle that has ravaged countries across the continent.
Currently, statistics show Swaziland to have the highest rate of HIV/AIDS in the world with 42% of the population infected. An extraordinarily high percentage of children are orphans well before they reach adulthood and figures are expected to worsen dramatically unless action is taken. This is why the endeavours of SKRUM are so important. People like Wilson can take the simple concept of a sport, like rugby, and a simple slogan and create a window for these children to have a better life. The charity aims to "give the youth of Africa hope for the future" and as their website states, "for once the freedom of choice in their lives through social education".
Their slogan, "Pass the ball, not the virus," encapsulates the critical need for education and a 'team effort' on tackling a virus that is destroying lives. Wilson described the efforts of the charity and the work they do taking the game to schools all over the country; "All they have to do is call and we'll come". The team teaches the children to play the game while at the same time, educating them about the nature of HIV/AIDS and how to take measures against it. They also provide coaching for teachers in the hope that the game will contine to be played when they leave. He also described tournaments run by the charity in which the schools team up and play each other with SKRUM branded sports kit awarded as prizes, to continue the message and the enjoyment and community qualities of the game long after they have moved on to the next school. Marlborough has been very involved in fund raising for the charity and is organising a second kit collection to send back with Wilson in December.
The pupils across all year groups have chosen SKRUM as one of our Carol Service charities and we look forward to sending Wilson back to Swaziland with a significant donation.
Wilson currently coaches the Junior Colts 4th team, works as a tutor in Summerfield and is a prominent member of the Sports department. When asked to comment, Mr Beckett, Manager of the Sports Complex, said of Wilson: "Knowing Wilson as an assistant, and now as a friend, has been an absolute pleasure. Not only has he done everything asked of him (and always with a smile), but has contributed over and above the 'call of duty' in many ways."
Having recently met Wilson myself for an interview, I can only agree with Mr Beckett as he added that, "[Wilson] is a fine example of what an eighteen year old should aspire to be: respectful, courteous, well-mannered, unassuming, determined to be the very best he can be whilst encouraging others to do the same". Wilson is far beyond his years in experience and his ambitious and positive outlook on life are an example to us all.
Wilson's JC 4s were undefeated until very recently and he is now launching new fitness and skills sessions so that his team can recapture the glories of the first half of term.
When I asked Wilson what he wanted to do when he returned to Swaziland he said that the first thing he would do is to share the knowledge he has gained during his time here, with everyone involved in his team and community, once again demonstrating his hard working and selfless nature. He said of SKRUM which he has "dedicated half [his] life to," that they aim to travel even further and visit more schools all across Africa if they can. The charity is here to stay and although it will be unfortunate to lose Wilson as he returns home, his message will most certainly stay behind.
As Mr Beckett said, "Wilson's biggest contribution to Marlborough College has been Wilson and who he is as an individual". Words true to anyone who has met him or has heard about his fantastic work.
Michael Collinson said of Wilson's time with the College, "Another big thank you is for the opportunity the College has given Wilson. I'm truly convinced that one day he will be a pillar of Swazi society. His experiences whilst at Marlborough will stand him in good stead in the future."
He also thanked pupils for all their fund raising efforts and said it was "really good to hear that Marlborough believes in and supports what we are trying to achieve". As far as becoming a 'pillar of Swazi society', it is safe to say that anyone who has met Wilson, would thoroughly recommend him to such a position and would wish him all the best in whatever challenges he takes on in the future which he will no doubt tackle with a positive outlook, integrity and a smile, setting an example to all those who come across this remarkable young man.
We have recently heard great news about the support Wilson will receive once home. The London Welsh RFC Supporters Club has confirmed that it will sponsor Wilson in 2012, which is not only an honour for Wilson but a great step forward for SKRUM as well. On behalf of the College we would like to congratulate Wilson for winning this sponsorship and wish him and the SKRUM team the best of luck.
For more information, please go to www.skrum.org
Ali Vyvyan (MO U6) Prefect in charge of communications