Local sports coach and youth advocate Jono Kruger is taking on the 2025 Comrades Marathon to raise funds for the Cubs Rugby Learning Academy — a life- changing initiative aimed at uplifting young boys through sport, education, and holistic development.
The Cubs Academy, located at The Cove near the Nahoon Dam, is more than just a rugby academy. Since its founding in 2006, it has become a beacon of hope for children from disadvantaged communities across the Eastern Cape. It offers nutritious meals, academic tutoring, and swimming lessons in partnership with Waves for Change.
“My desire to help underprivileged youth started at school when a teacher from Selborne College took us to Duncan Village. It has been a long-time dream shared with my teammate, Tiger Mangweni.
“We assisted in a youth development programme and, after entering a shack for the first time, I knew that I needed to do something about the reality I had just experienced. Tiger and I used rugby as a vehicle for development in the rural areas,” Kruger said.
Kruger, who was recognised as a 2022 Daily Dispatch Local Hero for long history of involvement in fundraising efforts, decided this year he wanted to support something he is directly involved in. His passion for youth development traces back to a life-changing school visit to Duncan Village, where he witnessed the harsh realities faced by underprivileged children.
Through his participation in the 85km Comrades Marathon, Kruger hopes to raise much-needed funds to sustain the academy’s work, including paying coaches, transporting players, and maintaining facilities.
“I have always thought that the Comrades Marathon would be impossible to complete.
“Some of the boys we work with are facing impossible circumstances. I want to do difficult things that I never thought possible. Hopefully I can make a difference and inspire others through completing the Comrades Marathon,” he said.
Kruger shared a story that highlights the kind of transformation that the Cubs players have showcased.
“During a seven-day taxi strike, a nine-year-old boy ran 7km from his school to the Cove because he thought that he may have missed the bus. This shows how important the programme is for the boys,” Kruger said.
Beyond rugby, Cubs also addresses trauma and academic development through a school-based intervention programme called Coach in a Box. It is a collaborative effort with local organisations such as Thetha Nathi, Izibalo and Masinyusane, which ensures that children succeed, not only as athletes but also as empowered individuals.
“I believe we need to assist our youth if we want to make a lasting impact. It’s not okay that some children receive all the opportunities to succeed that they can imagine yet others are stuck in a cycle of poverty or brokenness that they did not choose. I believe every child is a champion who just needs a coach,” Kruger said.
The public can pledge from as little as R1/km completed or make a once off donation.
For more information, visit the Sports For Lives website and search for Comrades Marathon for Cubs Rugby.
