Starting in 2025, in the heart of Cape Town, something truly extraordinary is about to take place. The Connect Festival of Unity isn’t just another sports event – it’s a powerful platform for change, connection, and opportunity. Through sport, this unique festival breaks down barriers, brings students together from across continents, and opens doors to a brighter future.

A Level Playing Field for All
At its core, the Festival of Unity is about addressing inequality. In South Africa, the gap between well-resourced and under-resourced schools is often reflected starkly in access to sports opportunities. The festival creates an environment where that imbalance is challenged head-on.
By enabling schools from vastly different backgrounds to compete side by side, the event run jointly between Edwin Doran Sports Tours and Connect ensures that talent – not funding – takes centre stage. And with the inclusion of 19 visiting UK schools, the festival adds a global dimension that elevates every student involved. This isn’t just competition; it’s collaboration across cultures.
Sport as the Ultimate Classroom
While the scoreboard matters, the Festival of Unity is driven by something deeper. Every pitch, court and field becomes a learning environment where students build discipline, teamwork, resilience and leadership – all skills that extend well beyond the sporting arena.
These are lessons that no textbook can teach. A comeback win builds belief. A tough loss teaches grace. A shared huddle fosters unity. Here, education comes alive through action – and every student, regardless of background or nationality, is part of the lesson.

Unity in Diversity
The festival also acts as a bridge between young people from different corners of the world. South African and UK students don’t just compete – they connect. Through shared experiences, laughter, and even a bit of dancing after a try or goal, friendships are formed and stereotypes are broken down.
This cultural exchange helps students gain new perspectives and learn to celebrate difference. In a world that often feels divided, these moments of genuine connection serve as a reminder of what’s possible when we come together.
Creating Pathways to Possibility
The impact of the festival doesn’t end with the final whistle. For many South African students, participation opens doors they might never have imagined. Whether it’s being noticed by a scout, discovering a passion for coaching, or gaining exposure to scholarship opportunities – the ripple effect is real.
Connect, the local partner behind the festival, works year-round to create these pathways – ensuring that young athletes are not only seen, but supported. When international schools and sponsors like us at Edwin Doran Sports Tours get involved, it amplifies the reach and the impact.
More Than a Game: A Shared Investment
Supporting the Festival of Unity is about investing in the next generation. Every partner, school, and volunteer who contributes becomes part of a movement to uplift young people through sport and education.
This is about more than fixtures and finals. It’s about nurturing leadership, encouraging dreams, and helping young people see the world – and their place in it – differently. Each match played isn’t just a game; it’s a step towards a legacy of equity, unity, and global citizenship.
Together, We Connect
The Edwin Doran team are excited to kick things off in Cape Town. Our hope is that as the festival grows each year, so too does its impact. What started as an idea 10 years ago with the founder and CEO of Connect, Murray Ingram, now stands as a symbol of what’s possible when sport is used as a force for good.
Whether you’re a parent, teacher, coach, or partner, your support of the Festival of Unity means believing in something bigger than sport. It means believing in young people, in opportunity, and in the power of connection.
Together, we don’t just play – we connect, we grow, and we build a future united.
Looking to inspire your next generation of athletes? Speak to our team to learn more about opportunities in South Africa for your school