Event: Charity dinner in London

/in , /by

On 4th October, 2012 in London, was held a charity dinner to the benefit of the Charity Serge Betsen Academy.

Thanks to Brasserie Saint Jacques. More than 70 people could share a French gourmet meal in the company of various rugby players such as Thomas Castaignede, Tom Palmer, Tim Payne and the olympic rowing champion Jean-Christophe Rolland. The evening  was chaired by Serge Betsen.

After poping the champagne, these great athletes have shared with humour and ease their field experiences and best anecdotes. Then few items were set at auction such as  framed and autographed shoes, photos and jerseys in order to raise money and help  underprivileged children in Cameroon.

 

If you want to share this moment with these great athletes, please watch this video

 

http://vimeo.com/54843264 

 

 

Bangangté: A new school in Fatgo’o

/in , /by

School roof that threatened to collapse is now repaired.

Many children of the centre L’Eau Claire go to the Bangangté public school. The school currently includes four classes and teaches 100 children. Because the roof threatened to collapse at any moment over the children, Serge Betsen Academy financed the project thanks to one of our sponsors (who doesn’t want to be named) and we would like to express our thanks again.

The beautiful school of Fatgo’o is now finished! The location of the headmaster’s office has changed and two rooms are now available (offices) between the classes rather than opposite. The two classrooms are each equipped with ten two-seat benches.

The Serge Betsen Academy is delighted to have accomplished this project which will allow many eager children to return to school.

Event: Charity Concert in London

/in , /by

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

 

Serge Betsen Tour: Celebrations in Clichy!

/in , /by

 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.

 

 

Serge Betsen Tour: The Tarariens were here!

/in , /by

 On Saturday 26th, was held the second date of the SB Tour in Tarare (next to Lyon). This event also was the opportunity to celebrate the 100 years of the Sporting Club of Tarare (SCT).

 

This day, full of emotions, was organised in different parties: during the morning defence workshops were held as well as a parade composed by current and former players of the club. In the afternoon a giant scrum with hundreds people overran the stadium. A dancing party took place in the evening to end this nice celebration. Not to mention the wonderful bandas that accompanied us all along the festival.

 

The charity and its chairman Serge Betsen thank the organizers of this great day, which also helped the SBA to raise funds.

Event: Kickers’ Trophy

/in , /by

We are delighted to announce that Heini Adams will represent the Serge Betsen Academy by at the “Kickers’ Trophy” to be held on 6 July 2012 in Boulazac. His performance will define the donation that will be given to our charity.

 

A sporting challenge for a just cause
The Kickers’ Trophy in a nutshell

 

Imagine the best kickers in the Top 14 competing in spectacular challenges! This will be the most attended ever meeting with the best kickers in the TOP 14, as never seen before!

Romain Teulet (top point scorer of TOP 14), Julien Dupuy (kicker at France XV), Conrad Barnard (top point scorer 2011/12 of the TOP 14) and more will compete in front your eyes.

For more information and to reserve tickets, please visit their website:

http://tropheedesbotteurs.fr/

and on facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Trophée-des-Botteurs/315570548506555

Serge Betsen Tour: A colourful start

/in , /by

The Serge Betsen Tour started this weekend in Limoux!

 

 The program included workshops defence led by Serge Betsen, David Ellis and other rugby players. This activity was available to the children in the morning (600 young were present). For lunch, Serge Betsen and David Ellis talked about rugby values in the business world. An autograph session was organised during the afternoon before closing the festival of rugby with a friendly match. The event concluded with a gala evening: everybody met around a nice dinner and music entertainment.

 

The first date of the SB Tour gave the SBA the opportunity to raise public awareness about the issues concerning underprivileged children in Cameroon and elsewhere. Through this meeting and your support we managed to raise funds while gathering the rugby union and rugby league …everybody’s getting closer thanks to rugby!

 

The Serge Betsen Academy and its Chairman thank the organizers of this festival.

Event Serge Betsen Tour : a must-seen event

/in , /by

Rugby enthusiasts and rugby supporters, you will not be surprised to hear that the Serge Betsen Testimonial is almost here!

So get ready for a legendary tour of the famous rugby man, which began on May 19th and will finish on June 6th in Biarritz, at the Aguilera stadium.

  

The first three dates of this SB Tour aim at approaching rugby players, and other legends of rugby through workshops set up for young people, autographs sessions and private parties.

Concerning the last date of the SB Tour, it will draw a deep attention starting with a remarkable opening match between former partners of the French Team of Serge Betsen, and former partners of clubs related to other sport legends.

A second match will take place between the “President’s XV”, and the team that Serge Betsen will have select. The team of the SBA President will be composed of rugby players and no-rugby players.

The Serge Betsen Tour will promote its association, “Serge Betsen Academy” to raise the public awareness about the issues concerning the help to underprivileged children in Cameroon and elsewhere through the values of rugby. It will be an opportunity to raise funds to finance current and future projects of the SBA. So please join us on June 6th in Biarritz and book your tickets here!

 

Reminder of the SB Tour dates:

 

– Limoux, May 19th

– Tarare, May 26th

– Clichy, June 2nd

– Biarritz, June 6th

 

 

 

Important links:

 

➢ Additional information on the Testimonial:

• http://www.facebook.com/JubileSergeBetsen

 

➢ Additional information about the association:

• http://www.sergebetsenacademy.com/fr  (website)

• http://www.facebook.com/sergebetsenacademy  (Facebook page)

Event: Alboanides

/in , /by

May 5th – never cast a clout till May is out at the Alboanides

 

On May 5th, the Serge Betsen Academy was invited to an event organized by the association Alboan- the Alboanides. The SBA children sponsors, volunteers and partners could meet the chairman Serge Betsen and the team of the charity.

On this occasion a cocktail and a concert of “The Mellow” took place. During the evening, an artist, Franck Cazenave created a painting which was then auctioned as well as a shirt signed by Serge Betsen. Most of the benefits have been given to the SBA. Subsequently, Alboan gave the Serge Betsen Academy a partnership for a project in Cameroon . A fashion show and dancing night ended this beautiful event. 

The SBA would like to thank the children sponsors who participated to the Alboanides as well as the members of Alboan and the volunteers in Biarritz who organized this event. This action was a fantastic  opportunity to share good times and raise funds.

 

Bafia: Focus on the visit of the centre

/in , /by

After a quick lunch, we arrived at the centre where the children were waiting for us. After warm greetings, Charles Bessong with respect and apprehension read  us a letter written by all the children. Here is the transcription:

“Dear godfathers, honorable big brother, dear Mr Kais, beloved visitors,

The children of the Rosy centre warmly welcome you. Your visit brings us back energy and the proof that we are not abandoned and that we will never be.

For many children worldwide, meeting the big brother, “Serge”, represents a dream. What an honor for us, children of the big SBA family, to have him among us.

We also take the advantage of your presence to tell you from the bottom of our hearts: thank you for all you do for us, children of poor families, orphans for some of us, from divided families for others. We were hopeless, condemned to do small jobs, to be in the street, exposed to prostitution, to precocious marriages, to delinquency. Although you have had huge achievements and even if time is what you are lack most, you didn’t forget those who have remained at a lower level.

You’ve decided to sacrifice your time.

You’ve mobilized your relationships.

You’ve invested your energy and your knowledge to bring us back the love for life, to make us feel hopeful again for a better tomorrow for us and for our families.

We are truly thankful and pray God to bless you for a long life; to give you more material assets; to broaden your contacts in order to be able to realize everything you planned for us and that our tears of disinherited children may be dried forever.

Concerning us, children of the Rosy centre, sons and daughters of the SBA, we can’t promise to become important rugby men because nobody among us has the strength or the techniques necessary; we can’t swear we’ll become little Mozart; we have the will to do that but not always the means.

We guarantee to you that with all the sacrifices you make for us, we will say no to all forms of social deviances and we will prevent the progress of analphabetism.

You will always find in us a group of ambitious and volunteer children; through us, your work keeps on going. You are the one who has made the name Betsen famous, a Bafia patronymic.

We love you, we admire you and eventually we all together tell you: “go ahead!”

After a notable translation of this beautiful text by our friend Odile, which moved the whole delegation, we concluded this great afternoon in happiness and laughs distributing shirts to the children.