A FORMER Wellington School pupil is planning a four-month expedition taking rugby to schoolchildren across Africa.

Richard Bennett, who moved from his native South Africa as a teenager, intends to take five other coaches on the trip which is due to start next January.

Dubbed Bhubesi Pride's Transafrique 2011 – bhubesi meaning lion in Zulu - the journey will start in Cheltenham, where Richard currently works as a teacher.

It will take in 14 countries while covering 15,000 miles before finishing in Cape Town.

The coaches will teach tag rugby, chiefly to children aged 10 to 15, and spend roughly a week at each school they visit.

Richard, whose family still live in Taunton, said: “The aim of the trip is not just to teaching rugby.

“It’s more about providing a vehicle to integrate and unite youngsters through sport.

“At the same time we will be including health issues in the training sessions.

“We also intend to train African coaches while we are there, providing them with simple coaching guides, so the programmes are sustainable.”

Richard, 27, already has the support of a couple of charities – touraid and United Through Sport -- and is looking for sponsors.

He said: “With project preparation starting to intensify, Bhubesi Pride is offering opportunities for individuals, clubs, schools, universities and corporate bodies to get involved and be a part of the pride.

“Bhubesi Pride is actively seeking individuals who have a passion for rugby and understand how sport can be an incredibly positive influence on children in all aspects of their lives.

“The project is now taking applications for team members and the interest levels have already been high.

“As well as reaching out to individuals, Bhubesi pride is talking to schools that would like to get their students involved through an interactive programme.

“This is a unique opportunity where students will be able to directly influence the way in which the project develops rugby across Africa.

“Our ultimate ambition is to create a support group of UK schools for each of the African schools we visit.

“The aim is that the programme will continue where the ‘on the road’ team finishes, truly creating a sustainable relationship that will continue to benefit both sides.

Richard added: “One the driving forces behind the trip is my deep love and passion for Africa in general.

“The journey is something I have wanted to do ever since roughing in through Malawi and Mozambique back in 2004.”

To find out more about the trip visit www.rugbyinafrica.org/