MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Connie Buis, a descendant of the family after whom the village of Buisplaas is named, organised an Easter Rugby Tournament to raise funds for the children of Buisplaas.
The village is on the Gourits River, between Herbertsdale and Mossel Bay.
Buis wanted to raise funds for the nonprofit organisation, the EPC Buis Children Fund Academy, through the rugby tournament, which was held at D'Almeida Park, Mossel Bay, on 19 April.
Eight rugby clubs from villages in the Mossel Bay area competed and the final winner was the Mossel Bay team, the Barbarians.
Unfortunately Buis did not manage to raise money through the tournament, because the funds he put into it were greater than those made by the takings at the gates on the day, but Buis is determined the tournament will be an annual event, after the first one this year.
Buis lives in the United Kingdom and would like to secure overseas funding for the tournament.
What was heartening for him was that a rugby player, Brenwin Barends, from Happy Hearts rugby club in Brandwag secured a contract to play in the Boland Premier League because of his good performance at the Easter tournament.
Buis was thanked profusely by Happy Hearts management for the tournament, which allowed the Happy Hearts player to shine and be offered a contract.
A resident of the United Kingdom since 2003, Buis has a career there as an occupational therapist.
He said: “I have been working with the EPC Buis Children Fund Academy for a good while. Sport brings communities together.
“I used my own money to make the tournament a success. I lost money, but in the future I would like to raise money for Buisplaas children.”
One of the needs is transport for the children to get to and from the hostel in Herbertsdale, where the children attend school.
Buis would like organisations and businesses to support him in raising funds. If you are able to help, WhatsApp him (+44 7393 510348).
He noted: “The weather played ball for the tournament. The event was successful in the sense that the foundation was laid and I received good feedback from people who attended. We can build on it. It can only go from strength to strength.”
Buis said he had met people with whom to partner in planning next year's tournament.
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