The Golden Lions Rugby Union announced that it had entered into a strategic agreement with Athletes Sphere Management to form a Lions Rugby Academy in Zimbabwe as part of its grassroots development programs of Golden Lions Rugby Union.

It is envisaged that the academy will sufficiently upskill, provide experience, and create development pathways, for players, coaches and administrators which will enable them to transition seamlessly to professional and international level.

Athletes Sphere Management Pvt Ltd is a World Class Sports Management Company based in Zimbabwe with Global Business Networks within Africa, Europe, and the rest of the world.

ASM represents various stakeholders in the world of sport, which includes Coaches and Professional Athletes across the sports spectrum. Key partnerships and synergies with worldwide sporting institutions have been established, creating business and commercial opportunities, grassroots development programs in key sporting codes including Football, Rugby, Boxing amongst others.

The formation of this academy will provide numerous training and education opportunities not only for players, but will provide exposure for Referees, and Coaches with the Director of Rugby being an appointee of GLRU said Mr. Pieter Visser – General Manager of the GLRU.

Mr. Gerald Sibanda President and CEO of Athletes Sphere Management, a former Professional and International Rugby Player and now a renowned Sports Promoter and Manager had this to say: “I am very happy and looking forward to seeing the development of Zimbabwe Rugby through this landmark association with one of the biggest Rugby Unions in World Rugby, the Golden Lions Rugby Union

South Africa and the Springboks are the current World Champions, and it’s a great Honour to have the Golden Lions Rugby Union commit to empowering Zimbabwe as a nation and growing the game of Rugby in this region. It is our core value and Mandate in Athletes Sphere, to bring World Class community opportunities to our beautiful Zimbabwe. I look forward to seeing this Association bring more success to the great relations between the Republics of Zimbabwe and South Africa. ”

Whilst Mr. Aaron Jani, President of the Zimbabwe Rugby Union is quoted as saying, “The Zimbabwe Rugby Union welcomes the Association between Golden Lions Rugby Union and Zimbabwe Sports Agency, Athletes Sphere Management.  This partnership augments well with our mix of Rugby development and high performance. It strengthens our relationship with South African Rugby and brings various commercial opportunities to market Brand Zimbabwe.

We are blessed with talent, and finding a new home for our players in a professional environment will allow growth and maturity in our game. Athletes Sphere has proven beyond any doubt what they are capable of achieving in other sports, and we look forward to working with them to get the best for our players.”

“It is indeed our pleasure to endorse the Zimbabwe Rugby Academy,” said Mr. Rudolf Straeuli, CEO of the Lions Rugby Company.

“Zimbabwe continues to produce untapped talent and have in the past produced great international players such as Tendai “Beast” Mtawarira and David Pocock whilst Brian Mujati and Tonderai Chavhanga were at one time players and part of the Lions family.”

President of the Golden Lions Rugby Union Mr.  Neville Jardine explained that this alliance with Athletes Sphere Management would be strategically and mutually beneficial not only for the Golden Lions Rugby Union but also for grassroots Rugby in both South Africa and Zimbabwe.

“It has always been our intention to grow the footprint of Lions Rugby in the region and with the formation of the Lions Rugby Academy in Zimbabwe, it will bring our aspirations much closer.

“Being associated with a credible partner such as Athletes Sphere Management made immediate business sense for us at the GLRU, and we are proud to have them as a partner.

Athletes Sphere Management have already been entrusted as international academy partners of Real Betis Balompie, the football giants who play in La Liga, Spain, a 300 million+ Euro brand

The opportunities are vast as we embark on a journey to grow Rugby and undertake various projects in the region jointly” he said.