Mada III

A word about the work

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Produced in 1999 on assignment for Attitude Rugby magazine, this feature by Jodi Bieber focuses on a school in Tannannarive, the « Life Rugby School » which aims to keep children off the streets, away from delinquency and give them an education through rugby.
Twice a week in the shanty settlements, children between the ages of 8 and 16 meet one of 43 trainers to learn the game. After the match they are given a meal of beans and rice, which might be their only food for the day. It started in 1992 and has between 8000 to 9000 participants. Most of the children come from underprivileged backgrounds.

The most significant memory was the enthuisiasm of the children. Their love of the sport. It was strange for me as a South Africa to witness how rugby was seen as a sport for the majority. In South Africa it was football and still is.

Jean-Denis’s choice

The absolutely magnificent composition, the more than austere backdrop with these two children, and in the centre of the photo, the white, oval ball that lights everything.