The Story So Far

In 2011, Bhubesi Pride Foundation (BPF) founder Richard Bennett took a rugby ball – and a camera – to Africa. A former teacher, Richard spent a year preparing for this unique reconnaissance journey, meeting children, educators, sports federation representatives and government officials across 10 countries in just seven weeks, documenting every step.

A year later, he led BPF’s first volunteer team on a six-month, 30,000km overland expedition from London to Cape Town. Together, they coached 3,687 children and trained 33 teachers across 22 schools.

Over the next seven years, BPF coordinated dynamic annual expeditions which built strong partnerships and catalysed community development. With support from volunteers, donors and partners, we implemented 12 impactful projects in eight countries, including sports facilities, IT classrooms, tree planting and a refurbished centre for children with disabilities. As the vision evolved, we deepened our focus on youth sport and education. In 2017, we registered our first African NGO – BPF Malawi – to deliver non-contact rugby in rural Lilongwe, expanding to include netball from 2019. A year later, BPF Malawi purchased a 7-acre site and began building a transformational sports and education community centre.

In 2022, BPF Malawi partnered with ChildFund, rolling out youth programs in non-contact rugby, netball and life skills. Today, in partnership with Youth Sport Trust International, BPF Malawi delivers a youth leadership and sport for development program. Additional initiatives include Clubs for Development – providing inclusive sport and life skills sessions – and Achinyamata Tikambilane, a youth-led dialogue platform focused on health, gender and personal development.

Now operating as two registered entities – BPF’s UK charity and BPF Malawi (NGO) – we’re learning, adapting and growing in a fast-changing world. With the help of our partners, supporters and communities, we remain committed to using sport and supplementary education to empower young people and drive meaningful change.

See our vision and goals