BrightRock and the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation recently announced a corporate social investment (CSI) partnership.
With its mission of using the power of sport as a tool for change, the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation’s goal is to help young people overcome the limitations imposed by social issues, such as social inequality, poverty, homelessness and discrimination by supporting sports-related community projects. The South African chapter of Laureus has an almost 20-year track record of supporting successful community-based projects that use sport as a catalyst for change, helping to educate children, uplift and unite communities, and assist the vulnerable.
Morne du Plessis, Chairman of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, said: “It’s always exciting when a shared passion for change allows us to partner with organisations intentionally. The Laureus movement in South Africa looks forward to combining its effort with BrightRock, to foster a belief in humanity’s collective potential to love change!”.
According to BrightRock’s Deputy CEO, Suzanne Stevens, BrightRock’s support of the Laureus Foundation is an extension of the life insurer’s ‘Love Change’ philosophy and its purpose of helping people navigate change in their lives.
“BrightRock’s needs-matched life insurance products are designed to meet people’s unique and changing financial needs throughout their lives, allowing them to embrace the opportunities that change presents”, said Stevens. “Partnering with the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation is an opportunity for us to extend this support to sports-based community programmes, particularly programmes that seek to impart a sense of agency and resilience, developing leadership and entrepreneurship skills in young people living in at-risk communities.”
Stevens said the partnership also ties in with BrightRock’s extensive involvement with sport. BrightRock is an associate sponsor to the DHL Stormers and Vodacom Bulls, as well as a partner to MyPlayers in delivering the annual BrightRock Players’ Choice Awards for professional rugby players. It also enjoys a longstanding association with Laureus Ambassador and host of The Dan Nicholl Show, Dan Nicholl.
In addition to providing funding to the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation on an annual basis, BrightRock hopes to harness its strong culture of employee volunteerism to amplify the impact of the partnership. Working with Laureus, they have identified key Laureus projects to support in Johannesburg and Gqeberha, where the majority of the insurer’s employees are based.
