News

In November 2020 schools in Rwanda opened up for the first time since March when they had all been closed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Our RDOs are still unable to run coaching sessions as the schools are currently not open to outside agencies and organised sporting events but we are hopeful that we will be able to restart our coaching programme soon.

All secondary schools have opened and primary schools are opening in a phased way. Currently only the upper primary classes are open (P5 and P6) and the plan is that in January the younger children will also start back to school.

It has been a tough few months and we were happy that as a result of our separate fundraiser “Bringing back the smiles” we raised over £1500 which helped over 120 families in 12 districts across Rwanda. It was also good for our RDOs to be doing something productive in their communities and helping their rugby families.

The RDOs have also been busy working remotely as a team to produce a handbook written by RDOs for RDOs. We are confident this will be a very useful resource for sharing good practice and especially for the new RDOs we are hoping to employ in 2021.

It has been difficult to produce a newsletter in the past few months but Issue 6 is a compilation for the past 8 months.

FoRR-Newsletter-Issue-6-April-November-2020

In mid March Rwanda reported its first case of Covid19 and the country went into immediate lockdown. All schools were closed and people were told to stay home.

Our RDOs have been unable to coach either at schools or with their community groups and clubs.

As many Rwandans live on a daily wage – the money they make doing a small job today is spent on food tomorrow – the lockdown has caused serious problems with people facing hunger.

We have set up a separate fundraiser to help

https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/raising-money-to-bring-back-the-smiles

We are raising money that our RDOs are using to buy food for the most vulnerable children and their families within the rugby community. Within the first few days we raised £800 which was sent straight out to Kamanda our programme manager who did a great job of coordinating the aid. Each RDO selected 5 families that were in most need. As well as our RDOs we also allocated some funding for two groups of street kids (in Kigali and Huye) and also three voluntary RDOs who teach rugby in other parts of Rwanda.

The £800 we have sent has supported 74 families plus the street kids groups. The RDOs bought the food and distributed to the children and their parents. They were careful to select food that was cheap and long lasting. Maize flour and dried beans are cheap, filling and non perishable. 1 kg of maize flour ( 50p) will make enough ugali for three people.

Thank you so much to all those who donated. We are continuing to raise money and hope to send another donation next week. Our RDOs have been so happy to be involved in helping their communities and it is a great way of sharing the ethos and community spirit of rugby.

FoRR-Newsletter-Issue-5-Jan-Mar-2020

The Rwandan Rugby Federation have released their calendar of events for 2020. You can see what they are planning by following this link

It has been an exciting year – check out our final newsletter for 2019

FoRR-Newsletter-Issue-4-Oct-Dec-2019

Friends of Rwandan Rugby were delighted to be nominated for the Rhino Grass Roots Rugby Award.

FoRR were runners up to Khelo Rugby who do great work in India but it is fantastic to have the work done by our charity in developing rugby in Rwanda recognised.

Big thanks to Rhino who have been such an important supporter over the years

You can find out more about the award here https://rhino.direct/blogs/the-locker-room-blog/khelo-rugby-wins-rhino-grassroots-award-2019

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Our very first Players’/coaches’ tour to Rwanda took place from October 30- Nov 7th 2019.

When we heard that the Rwandan Silverbacks were going to be playing their first ever Rugby World Cup qualifier match for the 2023 RWC against Ivory Coast in November 2019, we decided it would be a great opportunity for FoRR to send some experts out to help with the training.

We joined the team’s national coach, Claude Ezoua, who has great experience of the Ivory Coast as he is from there and was their coach for the World Cup in 1995.

We were delighted that despite having a very short amount of time to organise the trip we had an excellent group of coaches/players from Wales, England, Scotland, South Africa and France. The tour was led by our trustees Matt Phillips, Mike Jones and Mary Watkins.

Our team and coaching shirts were sponsored by Beddow Partnership

We took 30 large bags of kit with us (around 600kg) thanks to the generous baggage allowance from RwandAir. All of the kit was donated from local rugby clubs, Connect to Africa and SOSKitAid.

Read our newsletter below to see how the week went. We were also delighted to feature in ITV’s footage about the RWC.

FoRR-Newsletter-Players-tour-Nov-2019-Special-Edition

Friends of Rwandan Rugby charity continues to support the sport in Rwanda

Friends of Rwandan Rugby (FoRR) says that rugby is built on values and camaraderie and it is these values that are making a difference to the lives of the children in Rwanda

Friends of Rwandan Rugby a small, innovative charity based in the United Kingdom has continued to support the Rwandan Rugby Federation (RRF) (www.RwandaRugby.com), through training coaches, as well as children and donating rugby equipment to help build trust, friendships, and foster shared experiences on the field and have fun! This week, ten coaches from Scotland, Wales, England, France, and South Africa were in Kigali conducting training sessions to boost the national rugby team, the Silverbacks ,ahead of the Africa Rugby Cup game against Ivory Coast on November 23, 2019. In an interview, Matthew Phillips says that as a charity they have come to Rwanda every year to develop rugby around the country in primary and secondary schools to get kids to play the sport to become better people in social life. FoRR says that rugby is built on values and camaraderie and it is these values that are making a difference to the lives of the children in Rwanda. Allowing them to express themselves and play together will addvalue to their lives for years to come. “This year’s occasion,” he pointed out, “The Rwandan Rugby Federation President Tharcisse Kamanda asked us [FoRR) to come here this year to help train with the national team the Silverbacks in preparation for the World Cup qualifier against Ivory Coast. Matt believes that the Rwandan national team has improved massively in terms of standards since he started coming to Rwanda in 2013 though, he noted that what needs to be done is for the people to get behind them in terms of sponsorship financially from Government and business so that federation can help rugby to the next level. This year, FoRR donated over a ton of rugby equipment including playing kits, shoes, and balls, last year they donated over 400 balls to RRF. FoRR will be back in Rwanda as promised by Matt to deliver training to children in districts next year. For the last 12 years, FoRR volunteers have spent time with Rwandan rugby development officers visiting schools, clubs, and colleges meeting the team and engaging with children and young adults who are passionate about the sport. To conclude the week-long training program, FoRR organized a friendly match on Wednesday at Amahoro Stadium between the Silverback vs International invitational select team, the game concluded 11-8 in favor of Silverbacks. Both sides embraced each after an entertaining and an exciting game that drew the attention of a few rugby admirers before heading for a refreshment chat. Having watched South Africa make history by defeating England to lift the third World Rugby Cup, Kamanda the President of RRF who recently returned from Japan is already confident the Silverbacks are on the right footing. “The team is ready to battle Ivory Coast, we believe we can defeat them, looking forward to a positive outcome though we have seen a few injuries which the team doctor will have to look at to make sure they are fine,” he mentioned. He further pointed out that the scrum position, in particular, is still short of a few strapping and good players to move the ball forward but promised the head coach Claude Ezoua has set plans to fill the gap. If the Silverbacks win they will progress to the next round to face a formidable and experienced Kenyan both home and away. The team will depart Kigali on November 20th to face Ivory Coast.

FoRR-Newsletter-Issue-3-July-Sept-2019

We have created a Fantasy League for the RWC. Details below:

FoRR-Fantasy-League-flyer-2

FoRR-Newsletter-Issue-2-April-June-2019

News worth celebrating – we are delighted to announce that we are planning three tours to Rwanda from the UK over the next 10 months.

October 2019 – Journey to the World Cup Starts Here

Just as the World Cup 2019 ends the next one will start. And the very first qualifier for the 2023 tournament will be played by Rwanda! How exciting is that – their first ever qualifier for the World Cup.

They will be playing Ivory Coast on November 23rd. It will be a tough game as Ivory Coast are ranked well above the Silverbacks.

To help them be competitive we are sending a group of players and coaches led by Trustee and coach extraordinaire Matt Phillips. The purpose of the visit will be to coach and train with the Silverbacks to help prepare for them for the big game.

The tour will run from October 29th – November 7th 2019. We have had lots of interest but there is room for more players to join us. Email us at info@friendsofrwandanrugby.org.uk for more information or to book a place.

May 2020 – The Journey to the World Cup Continues

In May we are sending another group of players out to train with the Silverbacks and to continue with the work that was started in October’s trip. This trip will culminate in a game against the Silverbacks. We need a full squad of players for this trip. There are limited places remaining for this very exciting opportunity.

The trip will run from 21st – 31st May 2020

May 2020 – Rugby Foundations

Running at the same time as the above trip, Rugby Foundations is a trip to help develop the very beginnings of rugby by working with children from schools that have never seen a rugby ball before. Tourists will work alongside our RDOs to deliver tag rugby coaching in primary schools and also contact rugby training with secondary schools. The tour culminates in a very exciting Tag rugby tournament. There will also be time to return to Kigali at the end to watch the Silverbacks game mentioned above.

Suitable for coaches, teachers and enthusiasts.

Dates 21st – 31st May (with an additional departure date on 23rd May to allow teachers to fit the trip into the half term holiday.

For any other details, please contact us on info@friendsofrwandanrugby.org.uk

FoRR-Newsletter-Special-Edition-Volunteer-Coaches-Tour-May-2019

Taking rugby to Nyamasheke for the first time

Here is a selection of pictures from an amazing week in Nyamasheke where FoRR took rugby to four schools in Rwanda that had never before seen a rugby ball. Thanks to the UK coaches and rugby enthusiasts who joined us and helped make the experience so very positive for all concerned. Get in touch with us if you want to get involved in next years tour.

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Nice to hear that we are building great relationships through brilliant rugby stakeholders from the land of the leeks!! Click on the below link if you want to see the “Shiny Photo’s & All Version”

http://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/37607879

 

Two Welsh volunteers kick-start Rwandan rugby revolution
By Lauren Jenkins
BBC Wales Sport
When volunteer Glyn Watkins was asked to hold a rugby training session in a school in western Rwanda, he was not expecting to be greeted by 200 pupils.
"Help," was the message he mouthed to his wife, Mary, as he stood holding a single ball.
Two years later Glyn and Mary are back in Wales and can only watch through a computer screen as a handful of those pupils take to the field for the final of the Rwandan National League.
What began as a trial training session has developed into a way of life for many young people growing up in a country still tainted by the 1994 genocide.
Mary and Glyn Watkins were volunteering as teachers at TTC Mururu school in Rwanda in early 2014 when the principal of the college invited them to dinner.
"I know the Welsh are not very good at football, but you're good at rugby," was the candid conversation starter that led to the school's first training session. How quickly things can change in sport.
Glyn had never previously coached rugby at any level, but his befitting birthplace granted him all the credibility he needed.
The school's single ball would not suffice so the couple travelled six hours through the Nyungwe rainforest to seek assistance from Friends of Rwandan Rugby, a small charity started by Emma Rees - a former student and rugby player of Aberystwyth University - which promotes the sport in Rwanda. Players mark the pitch with sawdust before kick-off. They returned with three balls and the commitment of a few rugby development officers who would soon visit the school to coach the players.
This led to Mururu's participation in its first inter-schools national competition in which they finished fourth.
Word spread quickly and soon Mary found herself at the heart of her first international friendly.
"We were right on the Congo border and they heard about the training Glyn was doing, the next thing we knew we had a load of Congolese turn up," Mary said.
"I think that was the first Congo versus Rwanda international. The only problem was that the border closes at 6pm and it was about a 20 minute run for them to get back. So at half-past-five they would all disappear."
Border control wasn't the only obstacle to overcome. The pupils were also all too poor to afford any proper kit.
"In fairness to these lads, they don't have any money, they had one T-shirt for PE lessons and they complained they were getting ripped. So Caldicot RFC offered us some kit. Caerleon and Bedlinog RFC also helped out."
The team at least looked the part even if the pitch did not meet usual standards. Initially the markings were fictional which became the source of much dissent among opposing teams when tries were awarded.
"One game was delayed because none of the markings were set out and we had to wait for a guy to arrive on a bike that was loaded with sawdust - all the boys dived in and marked out the lines.
They play on a football pitch in which they strap massive bamboo poles to the posts to make rugby posts. I've also seen games played where the referee's flag is a leafy twig." Mary added.
By the end of 2015 many of the students had graduated but the team's captain Donatien Ufitimfura could not entertain the idea of life without rugby.
"I was wondering how am I going to spend two months of the holiday without playing the game so I came up with the idea of creating a team," he said.
"I started coaching newcomers from my district Rusizi and worked hard to increase the number of people interested in the sport."
From here Rusizi Resilience was born.
The team became the eighth member of the country's national league which led to its official recognition by World Rugby. The only problem?
They had only ever played sevens in school and their first 15-a-side match was a competitive game in the national league. However, they won that match 36-6 against Muhanga RFC.
The team went on to win every match of their opening season until the league's final against Thousand Hills RFC on Saturday which they lost 45-0.
Mary arranged for the team to play in Oakdale RFC kit and is proud of their achievement.
"The team they were playing on Saturday is made up almost exclusively of international players. What Donatien has done is incredible," she said.
"He stood out from the very first training session for us. He is a very intelligent young man and he does an awful lot of research."
Donatien was invited to train with the national team, but fell just short of making the final squad.
He has turned down the opportunity to attend university to take up a post as a rugby development officer with 'Friends of Rwandan Rugby.'
He has already set up tag rugby teams in eight local primary schools.
Past grievances
For a country with such a turbulent history as Rwanda, Mary was quick to discover that rugby provided the pupils with a refuge, free from any painful historical references.
"Rugby is a post-genocide sport. When you were out there you realised that everyone was affected," Mary said.
"There were a lot of people that were killed in football stadiums. In village football sides you'd maybe play opposition that maybe killed your family". "All the sports can be tainted but there are no bad memories associated with rugby."
Donatien admits the sport has become much more than a pastime.
"Rugby has eased the wound of genocide especially for the youth. Rugby has contributed for developing the sociability of Rwandans," he said.
"I could not envisage life without it. Only war, disaster or other conditions out of my control could stop me from playing now.
"Nobody can forget it all because what happened was so bad, but rugby can help me forget all the bad things I have seen.
"When I play rugby I can feel nothing in my heart but enjoyment."

Well, our 9th coaching trip has been concluded. This takes our figures to 89 coaches travelling to Rwanda over 9 years to contribute to the Rwandan rugby scene.

This year they delivered 369 shirts, 175 balls, 22 trophies, 252 medals, 22 sets of TAGs, 194 cones, 14 pumps and 31 bibs. Not bad when you consider we also delivered 4 tournaments, 2 referee coaching workshops, 4 teaching-the-teacher sessions at Rusizi College as well as sessions with the newly formed club, Rusizi Resilience.

Great work from our 12 Volunteers and all of our staff and supporters in Rwanda.

Where should we go for our 10th year in May 2017????

We are deep into tournament season. Take a look at the tournament page to see the winners of our 23 tournaments due for delivery by the close of 2015. The recent first aid workshop was a huge hit with teams from all over the country sending representatives to learn rugby 1st Aid. But perhaps the highlight of recent times has been the success of Rwandan teams at the Federation of East African Schools rugby tournament. Congratulations must go to GS St Famillie who were the tournament champions. Incredible achievement by these guys. Also well done to ET Mikingi for winning the Bowl Final.