A Word from SERGE BETSEN

 

10 YEARS OF EXISTENCE

Since the creation of my association, 10 years have passed. Looking behind me, what human adventure! The tears have marked these years, but the tears that have expressed so many emotions: joy, disappointment, surprise, the smile of a child. I feel like it was yesterday. Today, SERGE BETSEN ACADEMY has not changed, it keeps the same philosophy, the one that made me a man in society, and a father. As a resume, it embodies my vision of rugby values​​: sharing, solidarity, selflessness …
Now, for this symbolic year of anniversary, we want to establish our model for our activities in Cameroon reach financial independence.

FESTIVE, SPORT … BUT ALWAYS FOR THE CHILDREN !

We really wanted to mark the occasion of 10 years with a great event in the Basque Country. It is now a reality with a symbolic moment in the region: Wednesday, July 23rd, the opening day of “Fêtes de Bayonne” at Bélascain Stadium, in the heart of downtown.
I can count on the presence of some former teammates and opponents, French or foreigners, from Biarritz, Bayonne and elsewhere but also some guests from other sports. All together for the children of SERGE BETSEN ACADEMY, all proceeds from the transaction will be donated to the association.
Please accept, Madam, Sir, the assurances of my gratitude for the support that you bring to this initiative.

 

One birthday, 2 EVENTS !

 

Sunday, July 20th

ANGLET BEACH RUGBY FESTIVAL

6:30pm : Charity match to benefit the SBA

http://www.beachrugbyfestival.fr/

 

Wednesday, July 23rd

FESTI’MATCH, opening of “Fêtes de bayonne”

 

 

• 3:30 p.m.: opening of the stadium to the public (free)
• 16H: exhibition tournament (7’s rugby)
• 17H: gala match SBA / Rugbyrama-Capgemini – with the participation of FRENCH LEGENDS
• 6:30 p.m.: End

It is with much emotion that I attended the charity concert performed by 12 young musicians and rugby players, on Sunday 19th May at the French Institute in London. 

It is with much emotion that I attended the charity concert performed by 12 young musicians and rugby players, on Sunday 19th May at the French Institute in London. 

I really admire their courage and determination when they were on stage, so young  and playing in front of over 8O people ! In addition to their extraordinary talent which they shared with the audience, I would like to highlight their approach and motivation. From Cameroon to London, a gap separates these children however thanks to their rallying we could raise over £1,200. This amount of money helps us support 500 children every day through education, health and rugby. 

This amazing action will be followed by William & Fabrice’s cycle challenge, which will start on July 7th to end on August 3rd in London. I invite you to support them through their website www.enroutemousquetaires.com.

I would like to deeply thank all these young people and their parents, who are generously committed to help disadvantaged children of Cameroon.

To conclude, I will quote William & Fabrice when they say these true words :

“Everyone has a talent, and alone or as a group you can use these talents to carry on helping the Serge Betsen Academy to provide support to the children of Cameroon.”

Thank you

Serge Betsen

 

Three years after our first Christmas Lotto in Biarritz, Serge Betsen Academy organised a similar event last December, at the same place, for the same cause and with the same success !

We shared this friendly and entertaining moment with Serge Betsen who distributed prizes to winners. This was a nice occasion to raise funds in favour of underprivileged children of Cameroon and particularly to complete the construction of the Bafia centre .

In the name of the children we are helping, the charity would like to thank all the participants and generous donators, as well as Nelly for her commitment to the organisation of this event.

 

Young rugby players, talented musicians, perform for the Serge Betsen Academy!

 

Nearly 100 people gathered on Saturday 30th June in the London French Institute to attend a charity concert for the benefit of the Serge Betsen Academy in Cameroon. The aim of this event was notably to support Phillipe, a 13 year-old youngster from the Eau Claire Centre in Bangangte who suffers from deafness.

We owe the initiative of this successful event to Martin Quick, a 12 years-old talented pianist and rugby player, who did convince all his friends to take part on the day and put their musical talent for the benefit of a good cause.

Serge himself and the rest of the attendance were impressed by the quality and diversity of the show offered to them. During a good hour, the young artists took centre stage performing classical and more contemporary pieces of piano, violin, trumpet, guitar and electric guitar. They all played while wearing their respective rugby kit.

It was also an opportunity for the enthusiastic crowd to discover the development work of the Serge Betsen Academy in Cameroon. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all the attendees for their keen interest and generous donations towards our charitable work.

Given its resounding success, this concert has now become a regular fixture in the Serge Betsen Academy’s calendar of events.

 

A big thank you to all our talented artists:

 

Martin Quick – Rosslyn Park FC – Piano – Sonatina in F Major, 2nd mvt by Beethoven             

Henry Quick—Mascot – Piano – London Bridge, Folk song 

Charles Blagburn – Rosslyn Park FC – Guitar – Sur le pont d’Avignon                                                          

Jacques Blagburn – Rosslyn Park FC –Guitar -Galopp by Fernando Sor & El Negrito by Antonio Lauro 

Robin Hannay – Bank of England Rugby Club – Trumpet – Tequila Sunrise by Pamela Wegwood

Max Cave – Rosslyn Park FC – Electric Guitar – Running with the Devil by Van Halen               

Stephen Carrabino – St Paul’s – Piano – Sonata in C Major, K545, 1st mvt by Mozart              

Cassius Bandeen – St Paul’s – Violon – Praeludium und Allegro by Kreisler                   

Freddie Redding – Sheldon School – Piano – Waltz in E minor by Chopin               

James Carrabino – St Paul’s Piano – Impromptu No.3 in G Flat by Schubert

 

 The third date of the Serge Betsen Tour took place on 2 June  in Clichy.

 

During this family day, various rugby workshops were organised for the children with the participation of Serge Betsen. A “thank you” banner made by the children welcomed  Serge when he arrived.

As the Serge Betsen Academy has just opened a branch in Clichy, the charity was even more present with a stand held by volunteers presenting our action and welcoming our generous donors.

Following the arrival of Cameroonian women, we saw our Chairman joining in the dancing (a video is published on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/sergebetsenacademy). Photos were taken with Serge Betsen, the children of Clichy, and a sponsor – who recently gave the opportunity to a group of children from Clichy and Val de Marne (two Parisian suburbs and new branches of the charity) to go to Serge Betsen’s testimonial in Biarritz on 6 June.

The day carried on with an entertaining dinner while watching the final top 14 rugby game and ended with an evening dance.

 

The Serge Betsen Academy’s team and the  Chairman would like to thank the organisers of this great event, as well as all the people who attended.