Departing Belgian Rugby International leaves touching legacy

Mat Hocken, the Belgian rugby star, has put his international career on hold to pursue new opportunities in Australia.  However, the dynamic back row forward, who has been capped many times by Belgium, as well as representing the Barbarians and captaining the New Zealand University rugby team, has left a fitting legacy to Belgium.  Blueprint Touch, the charitable 6-a-side Rugby Touch tournament he helped develop with leading Brussels public affairs and communications consultancy Blueprint Partners, will continue in his absence.

The mixed sex tournament, which raises money for children’s charities RETRAK and Ecole Chanterelle, will re-launch on Wednesday 6th May at Hockeyclub Oranje, Josef Kumpstraat 83, Hoeilaart.  It will be played each Wednesday evening for the following eight weeks. Games are played on a half-sized pitch and last for 30 minutes each.  Registration has already begun.

Mat himself said of the tournament, “Blueprint Touch is a great game to play or watch, good fun, good exercise and a great networking opportunity too.  Teams from EU institutions, businesses and sporting clubs all participate, and I often wonder what business gets done round the barbeque once the games have finished.  But most of all, I think everyone involved really appreciates the opportunity to give something back.  I’ll miss it, and wish it every success in the future.”

Belgian Rugby Touch has grown substantially in recent years. Belgian Touch, the governing body of the sport in Belgium, are strong supporters of Blueprint Touch and provide qualified referees for all matches.

Blueprint Rugby Touch: http://www.blueprintpartners.eu/rugby_touch.php

RETRAK is a charity for street children in Kampala, Uganda: http://www.retrak.org/

Ecole Chanterelle is a school for disabled children in Brussels:

http://www.paluche.org/education/chanterelle/index.htm
 
To register a team for the tournament, or for more information, please contact:

Antoine Larpin or Rory Douglas Home

[email protected] /  [email protected]