Battle Of The Old Boys
Parisian Charity Dinner Success
A big thank you to everyone who attended and supported the first Kampuchea Balopp charity event co-organised with the Serge Betsen Academy at the Parisian restaurant MANUFACTURE on April 29th.
75 guests attended the dinner party including our Kampuchea Balopp ambassador Brice Dulin (Castres & French National team Player) and Serge Betsen (former French International Player). Everyone appreciated the outstanding meal prepared by Chef Jean Christophe Lebascle who hosted the event exclusively in his sumptuous restaurant.
It was a memorable event which was made possible only through the kind contributions of donations for the auction but also thanks to the dynamism of our volunteers.
Both Kampuchea Balopp and Serge Betsen Academy can continue to pursue and expand their rugby programs for the disadvantaged children of Cameroon and Cambodia through the funds raised on the evening.
For more photos please visit our Facebook Page.
C’est avec un plaisir immense que toute l’équipe de Kampuchea Balopp,( coachs, agents de développement, manager, volontaires, ainsi que tous les enfants) remercient toutes celles et ceux qui ont participé au Dinner caritatif organisé au restaurant MANUFACTURE le 29 Avril dernier. A cette occasion, nous avons eu l’honneur de compter parmi la liste des invités une légende du rugby français, Serge Betsen, ainsi que Brice Dulin, actuel arrière du XV de France et champion de France avec le Castres Olympique. Alors que Mr Betsen venait au nom de son association, la Serge Betsen Academy, qui réalise un travail fantastique au Cameroun, Brice Dulin, lui, venait en tant que tout nouvel Ambassadeur de Kampuchea Balopp.
75 invités ont donc eu la chance de participer à ce diner, qui avait été préparé par le célèbre Chef Jean Christophe Lebascle, qui a accueilli tout ce beau monde dans son superbe restaurant.
Une soirée unique et inoubliable qui aura permis, grâce aux différentes ventes aux enchères effectuées durant le repas, de récolter une jolie somme d’argent, qui servira à financer les différents programmes développés par La Serge Betsen Academy et Kampuchea Balopp.
Une nouvelle fois, Merci ! Facebook Page.
Paris Charity Dinner
Kampuchea Balopp will be hosting a special charity dinner in Paris on Tuesday April 29th. Under the theme of « Children & The Oval Ball » together with our partner organization Serge Betsen Academy who are celebrating their 10 year anniversary and Kampuchea Balopp celebrating our one year anniversary, the fantastic Parisian restaurant Manufacture under the guidance of renowned chef Jean-Chrsistophe Lebascle will host this unique event.
With special guests, current French fullback and Kampuchea Balopp ambassador Brice Dulin and French legend Serge Betsen, the evening is bound to be a memorable and fantastic occasion. The evening will be hosted by popular French actor, director, singer and composer, Gérard Chambre. Tickets are limited.
Please see below for more information:
« ENFANCE & OVALIE » Diner Caritatif MARDI 29 AVRIL – PARIS
Chers Amis, nous sommes fiers d’annoncer l’organisation de notre première soirée « Parisienne » au profit de KAMPUCHEA BALOPP et de notre association partenaire SERGE BETSEN ACADEMY le Mardi 29 AVRIL au restaurant MANUFACTURE du super chef de cuisine Jean-Christophe LEBASCLE, nous comptons sur vous tous. La Présence de Brice DULIN du XV de France et de Serge BETSEN, un des grands guerriers du rugby moderne! Mets, vins +animation par le Gérard Chambre… bref a NE PAS MANQUER – PLACES TRES LIMITEES! Contactez nous par email pour confirmation – PARTAGEZ aussi!
Hong Kong Benefit Dinner Success
With the IRB Hong Kong 7s Rugby bringing together the global rugby alumni last weekend in Hong Kong, Kampuchea Balopp was a proud beneficiary of a dinner arranged by the Hong Kong Police Rugby Club and the Hong Kong Scottish Rugby Club on Tuesday 25th March in the lead up to the weekends 7s action.
The guest speakers on the night were former Scotland and British Irish Lions player Tom Smith and Kampuchea partner and friend and famous former French rugby player Serge Betsen. Serge’s own organisation the Serge Betsen Academy as well as Operation Breakthrough and the Bill McLaren Foundation were other beneficiaries on the night.
The night was a success for all involved and the Hong Kong Police also managed to serenade Serge Betsen as he was celebrating his birthday on the night. See the video here
Thanks again to everyone involved and your continues support.
Hong Kong Police Rugby Club Dinner -Serge Betsen & Kampuchea Balopp from Steve Noble on Vimeo.
My Experience with Kampuchea Balopp
In February, Australian student and rugby fan Mary Crowley, spent some time with Kampuchea Balopp to learn about what we do and to assist us with some of the training sessions and work with our coaches on improving their English language skills. Mary made a significant contribution in the time she spent with us and has written up about her experience working with Kampuchea Balopp in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
I have been privileged to have had the opportunity to spend two weeks working with Kampuchea Balopp in March 2014. In this time, I travelled with Coach Trainer and Program Development Manager Jean-Baptiste and his team of skilled Khmer coaches, Khemrin, Ra, Khemara and Pheary. I also worked with Anna-Maria Nugent (Fundraising coordinator) on providing some English lessons to the Cambodian coaches.
Training takes place at several locations in Phnom Penh where the team coaches rugby to disadvantaged children. The highlight of the experience was being able to share in the fun and play rugby with the kids who have boundless energy and a willingness to learn. It wasn’t until I was participating in the training sessions that I began to appreciate the true value of the work this French/Cambodian NGO does.
On its most fundamental level, Kampuchea Balopp brings happiness and fun to the lives of underprivileged kids by giving them the opportunity to play rugby regularly where they would not otherwise be able to.
The enthusiasm with which the kids play and the admiration and respect that they have for their amazing coaches is testament to just how much this experience means to them. The physicality involved in the tackling is something that these energetic kids particularly enjoyed; both the boys and girls.
Finally, rugby brings out the competitive spirit in these beautiful and enthusiastic children. In speaking with the coaches, it is apparent that they strive to teach more than rugby though. They hope to have a long term impact on the children’s lives by showing them the value of cooperation and hard work.
That is the benefit of Kampuchea Balopp training up Khmer coaches to run these clinics. Having grown up in similar conditions as the kids they teach, Khemrin, Ra, Khemara and Pheary are role models for the children who show that sport is both a productive pastime to improve fitness and quality of life.
In all, I felt very lucky to have worked with Kampuchea Balopp. Everyone is so committed and so enthusiastic about their work with these beautiful children that it is hard not to be affected by their comradery, passion for teaching rugby and making a difference. Kampuchea Balopp’s investment in the futures of Cambodian children makes it well worth getting behind in any way possible.
Mary Crowley, 19, Australia