A college rugby team touring in South Africa have been left with just the clothes on their backs after all their luggage went missing. The team of 30 players from Coleg Gwent landed in Cape Town on Monday after they flew from Heathrow via Frankfurt.
However when they arrived, their suitcases were nowhere to be seen. A concerned parent said some members of the squad - made up of 16 to 18-year-olds - were left training bare chested, in their socks or even barefoot. Airline Lufthansa has been approached for comment, as the boys remain without their bags four days after arrival.
Amanda Parry-Lewis from Blackwood, Caerphilly, is mum of 16-year-old Alfie. She said her son's team were told they may never be reunited with their luggage. "It's devastating, they've got there and now they've got nothing," she said. "We don't even know if the luggage went missing at Heathrow or Frankfurt. All they wanted to do was play rugby. Their plans haven't stopped, but they've had to go out shopping. They've had to go out and buy things like rugby boots and gum shields. Half the boys won't want to go out shopping on a holiday of a lifetime."
Read more: Nadine Dorries makes embarrassing gaffe and confuses rugby's two codes while promoting World Cup
Staff at Coleg Gwent took the boys shopping for new clothes, while South African teams helped kit them out for their first match in Cape Town. On Friday morning, the boys are due to fly to Pretoria before playing two more games at Johannesburg. They are due to watch Wales against the Springboks before flying home on Monday.
Kelvin Drinkwater, also from Blackwood and father of 17-year-old Max, said the team had received very little information from Lufthansa. He said he understood that a flight from Frankfurt was due to arrive at Cape Town today, but that no confirmation had been received as to whether it would be carrying the missing luggage. He said: "They fly out to Pretoria on Friday morning, so if that kit doesn't get to Frankfurt today, it's likely they won't get that kit for the remainder of their tour. All they need is confirmation from Lufthansa. Not every parent can afford to buy an extra 10 days worth of clothes because it will continue to top up."
Claire Gilfillan, mother of one of the boys, told BBC Wales the boys, all aged around 17, were left training bare chested and some of them were barefoot, or in socks.
She said: "Some of the boys had money in their suitcases, lots of the boys have been kitted out for the summer, or had equipment, chargers in their bag, others had Welsh tops bought to wear to the game on Saturday. We're thankful for what the college has done so far, trying to buy them boots, but we've heard nothing from Lufthansa."
He said some players had been left wearing the same tops in which they travelled on Sunday. He said: "They are down in the dumps, but being 17, 18-year-old rugby boys, they are making the most of it. They played last night and won. In pictures coming back, you can see them celebrating and trying to remain positive." Kelvin added that he was very thankful to Coleg Gwent and MSG tours, who organised the trip, for doing their best to give the players the best possible experience.
Rugby referee Nigel Owens picked up on the team's plight and tweeted Lufthansa. He said: "Come on you can do better than this @lufthansa. These things happen yes, but no sign of their luggage since the 26th and not one bag but 30 of them. Come on now think of the group of children on their tour/holiday and no luggage. Try and enjoy kids despite the challenges."
The airline responded to apologise and added: "I hope the passengers will be re-united with their luggage soon!"
Thomas Corrigan, head of school for Business and IT, Public Services and Sport at Coleg Gwent, is currently in South Africa with the team. He said: "the college staff have been so supportive. Between our Health & Safety and Finance teams we have been able to ensure our learners were provided with everything they needed very quickly. We do hope their personal belongings are located and returned very soon but they are all in very good spirits, having a fabulous time and making memories."
READ NEXT:
