Thank you Jacob

Earlier this week, we were sad to say thank you and goodbye to Jacob Ochen, a young man that has made a big impact on and off the field at Pentyrch during his short time with us on loan from Jinja Hippos RFC in Uganda.

Everyone that watched Jacob play will agree that he brought huge energy to his performances and unfailingly gave 100% whilst wearing the Pentyrch jersey - a fact confirmed by the player of the match awards he received. 

Off the field, Jacob slotted in with the team immediately and his company in the Clubhouse post-match will be missed.

Before Jacob left, we managed to collect a considerable quantity of kit and equipment that he has taken back to Uganda to support the young rugby players at Jinja Hippos RFC - his home Club.

The response was fantastic - thank you to everyone that contributed, from across the Club and outside. Glamorgan Wanderers RFC in particular provided a set of playing shorts - thank you. In addition to kit donations, I would like to thank those members that donated money to help cover the excess baggage costs needed to send the kit out to Uganda. Hugely appreciated.

We hope this will be the start of a relationship with Jinja Hippos RFC.

Anyway, let me share Jacob’s thanks with you all. It shows the power of our game to bring people together in a way that few other sport do:

Dear Chairman, members of the Committee, players, and supporters, 

I would like to thank you for the opportunity given me to be part of the Pentyrch rugby community. It’s been an experience I won’t forget. You’ve shown me how sport brings people together with hospitality and friendship. I would love you to be able to come to Uganda and my club Jinja Hippos so that we can show you the same hospitality and friendship.

Rugby has given me the opportunity to travel which I would never have had the chance to do. 

I am very glad rugby has brought me to Wales where I’ve seen the passion players have for the game and the importance of the game to the Welsh culture.

I know everybody at Hippos will be very grateful for your donations and they will make a massive contribution to developing grassroots rugby in Uganda.

Hopefully more young children in Uganda will have the same opportunities through rugby as I have.

I hope we can keep the connection between Pentyrch and Jinja Hippos Rugby Club.

I wish you a successful end of season. I will be keeping in touch with the team’s progress from afar. 

Best wishes,

Jacob Ochen 

In response, I can only say thank you again to Jacob and to say that he will always have a warm welcome at Pentyrch RFC. We too will be watching his progress from afar and hope to keep the relationship going.

This connection proves something we all know, but perhaps something we benefit from being reminded of from time to time: rugby is so much more than those 80 minutes on a Saturday.

Thank you Jacob.

Alun
Alun Davidson
Secretary | Pentyrch RFC