Unicef Puts Football & Rugby To The Test

Players from the England Footballers Foundation (EFF) and New Zealand rugby stars have been put to the test in a new activation from Unicef, to illustrate the importance of response time in an emergency. 

Tottenham’s Harry Kane and Manchester United’s Chris Smalling joined All Blacks Dan Carter, Ben Franks and Charlie Faumuina, for a masterclass in how to play board games by a group of seven and eight year olds.

See how they got on at Sport Industry TV. 
 

EFF and New Zealand Rugby came together to film the short sketch to highlight the three things that matter most when helping children at risk; precision, response time and team work.

England footballer, Chris Smalling, stated: “It was a lot of fun to get together with Harry and challenge the children to some board games. Of course, we took it as seriously as we take every game and wanted to win!

“The children gave us a good run for our money and we were definitely put to the test. We’re really proud to support Unicef and to highlight their work in keeping-children across the world safe from harm.”
 
All Blacks player, Dan Carter, said: “I’ve got some good experience of playing these games thanks to my own children so I felt pretty confident. The children certainly didn’t give us an easy time but we battled on!
 
“It was important to come together in this film and highlight just how important Unicef’s work is.”

Unicef UK executive director, David Bull, added: “We’re incredibly grateful that England footballers and New Zealand Rugby stars came together to highlight the grave danger children face in emergencies.

“During war and natural disasters, when lives get turned upside down, three things matter most when protecting children; precision, response time and team work. Right now, 1 in 10 children live in areas affected by armed conflict, and last year children made up more than half of those affected by natural disasters. So we must act now to reach every child in danger.

“The sketch aims to raise awareness of Unicef’s work for children in emergencies in more than 190 countries across the world.”