A Crash Course in Rugby

By now almost everyone knows that on Friday the 18^th of September the Rugby World Cup began in Great Britain. This weekend the two semi-finals will take place and so in less than two weeks’ time we will know who the Champions of the 2015 Rugby World Cup will be. I’m really excited about this but some people are not, this is probably because they don’t usually watch rugby matches. However, since so many people are going to be watching the final I think it is about time for a crash course in rugby.

Although I’ve never actually played the sport I consider myself as an almost-expert-fan because I have watched many rugby matches over the past few years. I have also called on the advice of experts so you will be well prepared to watch the semi-finals or the final.

A brief history:

Legend has it that 16 year old William Web Ellis was playing football at his school in Rugby, England when he caught the ball and ran with it towards his opposition’s goal line. At the time this was against the rules which stated that the ball should be caught and then kicked; however, not long after this incident the rules changed and thus rugby the sport was formed.

Objective of the Game:

The objective is to get more points than the other team. Points are earned by scoring tries, this is when the ball is carried over the opponent’s try line, which result in 5 points and can be converted to an extra 2 points with a successful place/drop kick. 3 points can be earned by a successful penalty kick or drop kick.

Basic terminology:

A scrum: occurs when there is an accidental infringement

A lineout: occurs when the ball goes out of bounds

A ruck: a loose scrum formed around a player with the ball on the ground

A maul: occurs when three or more players, including the ball carrier and at least one other player from either side, are in contact together (unlike a ruck the ball is still in hand and has not been grounded.

Length of Game:

The game consists of two 40 minute halves with a 10 minute break in between. Remember to use this break wisely so you don’t have to miss too much of the match.

Now that you know a bit more about rugby you’re more likely to enjoy the two semi-finals and the final!!  

For more information visit: http://www.rugby.com.au/tryrugby/Playing/RugbyExplained/History.aspx 

A Different Perspective

Living through the same routine over and over again can ensure that you always view the situation in the same way. When you walk to your work you probably will not notice the beautiful leaves above you or the colours of the flowers in the gardens next to the road. But, if you were able to notice all these small things they would remind you how beautiful this world is and cheer you up.

Here are a few optical illusions to help you change your perspective:

Now that your eyes have been trained to notice different images and see images in two different ways, you can enjoy these photographs:

Did you realize this photograph is upside down?

Remember to keep an eye out for the beauty of nature in your life that you often take for granted. 

Youth Against Extinction

When we think of the voice of all animals we imagine the thunderous roar of a lion. That sound echoing through the Savannahs kept man away from poaching and trophy hunting for several centuries; and yet now the king of the Savannah’s voice, is hoarse. No matter how many times he yells man only snaps a photograph and drives away.

Our lions are suffering. Once 200 000 freely roamed the earth and now the estimate is below 30 000 wild lions. There are two main reasons for this horrid decrease in population numbers, the first is the increasing demand for lion trophies and the second is the demand for lion bones mainly in Asian countries. In order to profit from these demands the “Canned Hunting” industry was formed.

In this industry female lions are used to breed as many cubs as they possibly can. When they can no longer reproduce they are either used for trophy hunting or are killed for the bone trade. At the same time, the cubs are torn away from their mothers soon after birth, so instead of their mother’s tongue gliding across their fur they are petted by complete strangers who think this is a true African experience. Unfortunately, when these cubs grow up they will be trapped in an enclosure and shot at by trophy hunters. Once they are dead their heads will be mounted on walls in foreign countries or even here in South Africa and their bones will be flown to Asia. This is what people are doing to our King of the Savannah.

Because of this tragic greed thousands of lions have died. The ones that remain are by no means fit to be the voice of all animals like they once were. And so, this role needs to be resumed by a group that is prepared to change the minds of those around them, to succeed when so many want them to fail and to save these beautiful animals from extinction. Plenty of generations could have accepted this task, and in 1960 Ian Player and his team did. But now is the time for a new group of conservationists to step up. It is the youth of South Africa, of Africa and of the world who will take up this challenge and will save our animals. 

It is we who have the power that is needed to swing this fight in our favour. We are motivated and prepared to use our talents in every way possible to educate the rest of the world. We will stop at nothing to protect our beloved animals. 

If you'd like to watch my speech at the Global March for Elephants Rhinos and Lions click this link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFg91HVQHDw&feature=youtu.be

Why is World Rhino Day so important?

As you probably know World Rhino Day took place earlier this week on Tuesday the 22nd of September. Although not many people actually know about this day, it actually plays an important role in Rhino conservation. Some may feel that they know a lot about rhinos and so they switch off to any new messages. This could be a problem because on the 22nd of September people learn about the dangers of extinction for all animals and not just rhinos. So keep your ears and eyes ready for new knowledge.

The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) started the first World Rhino Day in South Africa in 2010. On this day they raised awareness for the rhino’s plight and encouraged people to care about these animals. As a result of this funds were also raised for anti-poaching efforts. This day was soon recognised internationally and as a result World Rhino Day is celebrated all over the globe.

For people who have never seen a rhino this day is very interesting as hundreds of rhino pictures and photographs shower the media along with information about these lovely animals. World Rhino Day is the perfect opportunity to spread the word about these species, to convince countless people that they’re more than just a horn and to raise money for rhino charities.

Youth of Johannesburg showing they care for the rhino

Now that you know how important this day actually is, put it in your diaries for next year and start planning what you’re going to do for the rhinos and other animals throughout the year. ; After all, if we don’t care about these animals they will soon be extinct.

We Need To Change Our Ways

www.globalexchange.org

Climate Change is real.

Be Scared.

So many people dismiss scientific evidence that proves global warming exists whilst others shrug their shoulders and simply don’t care. Well, here’s what will happen if we don’t correct our ways.

1.      Changing rainfall patterns

Hundreds of years ago many of the desserts around us were beautiful forests, but now they’re just sand. Very few plants and animals exist in these areas and so you should be shocked to know that if we don’t get rain many of our grasslands will dry up into desserts. We can’t let that happen because then we would lose precious farming space as well as our Grassland biome. This will mean that thousands of people will be hungrier or even face starvation and many plants and animals will go extinct. On top of that a change in rainfall patterns will create massive floods in some areas. We all know that floods are dangerous but they could be much, much worse in the years to come. Islands that exist now may not be around in 10 years’ time.

2.      Extreme Global Warming

 When the temperature increases we are forced to kiss snow days and icebergs goodbye. Although this will mean a Titanic-like incident will not occur it also means that the polar bears will rapidly lose their habitat. And, with the icecaps melting the sea level will increase causing flooding. But, polar bears aren’t the only animals who will suffer because of Global Warming, other animals will have to adjust to the extremely hot temperatures or they will go extinct. At the same time, more people will suffer from heat-related illnesses and deaths because heat waves will increase.

3.      Economic Losses

Many people overlook this effect of climate change but it is important. Because of the rising sea temperatures certain fish populations (such as lobsters) have plummeted and therefore fishermen have not been able to catch enough fish to sustain their livelihood. Moreover, because the amount of snow is declining ski resorts have not been able to make as much money. On top of all of this, there has been (and will continue to be) an increase in natural disasters which means that more money will be spent on the relocation of people and recovery from these disasters.

So, if you don’t want all this to happen it’s about time you start caring for the environment.

How do we correct our ways?

·         Change from using fossil fuels to renewable energy

·         Use public transport or carpools

·         Conserve water

·         Recycle

·         Educate friends and family about Climate Change

·         Eat local food (fossil fuels are emitted when food is transferred around the country and the world)

·         Waste less food

DON'T WAIT FOR TOMORROW. START RIGHT NOW!!

For more information go to: http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/urgentissues/global-warming-climate-change/threats-impacts/

http://www.davidsuzuki.org/what-you-can-do/top-10-ways-you-can-stop-climate-change/

Dream Cast for ‘The Selection’ Movie

You probably remember how excited I was to reveal that Kiera Cass’s book “The Selection” would be made into a movie. Now several weeks have passed by and I’m still just as excited. Unfortunately the movie will only be released in many, many months’ time and so we have a VERY LONG WAIT ahead of us until we find out who the cast will be. In the meantime though, my sister and I have been searching lists of actors and actresses to find our Dream Cast for this movie. Here’s who we’ve selected:

America Singer (the girl who entered the Selection to please her mother but ends up being chosen) should be acted by: Deborah Ann Woll

The handsome prince Maxon Schreave should be acted by: the younger version of Alex Pettyfer (although this would require a time machine we believe he is the best suited to play Maxon)

America’s first boyfriend Aspen Leger should be acted by: Callan McAuliffe

America’s best friend Marlee Tames should be acted by: Whitney Rose Pynn

Other Selected:

Kriss Ambers should be acted by: Michelle Trachtenberg

Celeste Newsome should be acted by: Ellen Page

Elise Whisks should be acted by: Ayana Sakai

Natalie Luca should be acted by: Stephanie Kerbis

WHAT DO YOU THINK?? WHO IS IN YOUR DREAM CAST FOR "THE SELECTION" MOVIE??

A Special Evening

I have some exciting news!!!

Last week (Monday the 27^th of July) my parents and I attended the 2015 Rhino Conservation Awards hosted by the Game Rangers’ Association of South Africa. It was an amazing evening filled with delicious food, inspiring speeches and sparkling awards. The evening would not have been possible without ZEIZZ, CNEI and Prince Albert II of Monaco’s Foundation’s sponsorship with the help of the Game Ranger’s Association of Africa and the Department of Environmental Affairs.

Although the main purpose for the evening was the awards I really enjoyed the speeches; Dr Larry Hansen, Dr Michael Kaschke (Global CEO of Carl Zeiss Group), Debbie English, HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco and Mr Fundisile Mketeni (CEO SA National Parks) spoke. If I had to pick a favourite speech it would be Mr Mketeni’s one which dealt with the current rhino crisis and the path forward; or it would be Debbie English’s touching description of a day in the life of a ranger’s family.

After being inspired by the numerous speeches and licking our lips through the starters and the main course, we finally arrived at the awards orientated part of the evening. Chris Galliers (Chairman of the GRAA), Dr Winfried Scherle (CEO Carl Zeiss Sports Optics) and Xiaoyang Yu handed out the awards. The categories of the evening included Best Field Ranger, Best Conservation Practitioner, Best Political and Judicial Support, Best Science, Research and Technology and finally the Best Awareness, Education and Funding. I was privileged enough to be awarded a Special Recognition Certificate (Youth Award) along with Kelsey Hunt, Calvin Erasmus and Alyssa Carter. 

From left to right: Dr Winifried Scherle, Xiaoyang Yu, Alyssa Carter, Kelsey Hint, Kirsten Everett (ME), Cavin Erasmus and Chris Galliers

I was flattered by the award and so amazed when the Black Mamba Anti-poaching Unit (26 women who have succeeded in their anti-poaching patrols and have dedicated an extraordinary amount of time in educating the communities surrounding the Balule Nature Reserve.

I thoroughly believe the words written at the bottom of the certificate “If the youth inspires, the world will listen.” Isn't that inspiring?

Here's a photograph I had with the Prince and some friends:

From left to right: Kelsey Hunt, Kirsten Everett (ME), Calvin Erasmus, HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco, Tracy Henderson and Irene Huysamen

PS: In case you were wondering the words on the bottom of my award are:  

“In recognition of special achievement by a young person in the Awareness, Education and Funding category of the Rhino Conservation Awards 2015.”