A YOUNG Dunfermline rugby coach will touch down in Africa next month to teach kids rugby and life skills.

Arran Hain will visit Botswana, Malawi and Zambia on two-month expedition with the Bhubesi Pride Foundation.

The charity carries out annual trips supporting rugby and community development in nine countries across east and southern Africa, and aims to unite, empower and inspire young children.

Arran, 18, is a modern apprentice with the Scottish Rugby Union in Sports and Leisure Management and he has been playing for Dunfermline Rugby Club for more than five years.

He sees the trip as an opportunity to give something back to those less fortunate.

He said: “Rugby has taught me a lot. It’s boosted my confidence and has really helped to shape my life and grow.

“It’s always been my personal goal to travel, and in doing this, I can combine my two passions of rugby and travel in the best way possible.

“I’ll be helping coach rugby and teaching life skills that will help them organise their life and hopefully inspire them to make their community a better place to live. We want the kids to be ambitious.

“There’s lots of gangs in these countries and we’re hoping we can encourage them to stay well clear of them. It’s a big problem and we want them to understand that there’s more for them than that.”

Arran flies out on July 6 and returns in early September, and will be taking stationery for young kids who do not have the required equipment to attend school.

Nikki Cunningham, Primary 4 manager at Dunfermline Rugby Club, said: “We’re all really proud of him as not only is he a great ambassador, he’s a role model for the younger players.”