EDEN Rugby players are out in South Africa this month for a Cultural Exchange, reports KAREN MORLEY.

The cultural exchange programme has been organised by CSRFU, in partnership with Wentworth Township, Durban, and Natal RU. And local firm Waitings Drainage Ltd. has generously supported the programme.

The donation to finance team polo shirts and individual kit bags was made by David Waiting, shortly before his death. His daughter, director of Waitings Victoria Pigney presented her nephew Andrew Bainbridge and members of the team from Appleby with their new kit.

The rugby tour to KwaZulu Natal began on July 19 and runs until August 4. The party are due to travel to Durban and undertake coaching in the deprived coloured township of Durban. Members will be attending coaching sessions at Natal Sharks Academy a top Super 12 team. And the players, aged 16 and 19, are also be working on community projects in local schools.

The British Council (SA) is hosting a prestigious reception for the party, with top local dignitaries in attendance to mark the occasion. Sponsorship of kit by Waitings Drainage Ltd will allow all the players to present a corporate image while representing Eden and Cumbria.

Two students from Appleby Grammar School, Andrew Bainbridge and Nick Slee, will be joining this year's tour and Year 9 students Michel Morley, Barry Collins, Joe Natrass, Peter Smith and Martin Skelton will be taking part in the 2005 tour which is already in the planning stages.

Appleby Grammar School's Head of Year 7, John Cooper, who has been involved in setting up the tours, said: "Cumbria Schools RFU is grateful to all its sponsors but in particular to Waitings Drainage Ltd who has taken such as interest in the project and provided a great deal of support."