May 2008 – New Volunteer Arrives
FoRR was delighted to receive Tom Wagsby into the country. Staying for a few weeks Tom was able to work with several of the schools teams in both Kigali and in the South and left valuable information with the developing teams. He held a series of mini games each afternoon and refereed 2 games on the weekends.
FoRR was delighted to receive Tom Wagsby into the country. Staying for a few weeks Tom was able to work with several of the schools teams in both Kigali and in the South and left valuable information with the developing teams. He held a series of mini games each afternoon and refereed 2 games on the weekends.
04/10/08 – FoRR Annual General Meeting
With the recent employment of new staff in Rwanda the focus of this meeting stayed largely with designing financial structures to ensure the security of salaries on a continuous basis. Measures were put in place so that accounts could be closely monitored and a plan was introduced to maximise all revenue streams efficiently. To facilitate that approach an appropriate website was placed high on the list of priorities and the fundraising subcommittee reported back about potential UK schools links that wish to help going forward. The committee decided to re-set the equipment drive process to concentrate on balls, full team strips, tags and cones. Finally discussion were held about the charities relationship with the Federation of Rwandan Rugby, land accusation and the possibilities of annual tours for UK coaches to the country to replicate the one held earlier in the year.
With the recent employment of new staff in Rwanda the focus of this meeting stayed largely with designing financial structures to ensure the security of salaries on a continuous basis. Measures were put in place so that accounts could be closely monitored and a plan was introduced to maximise all revenue streams efficiently. To facilitate that approach an appropriate website was placed high on the list of priorities and the fundraising subcommittee reported back about potential UK schools links that wish to help going forward. The committee decided to re-set the equipment drive process to concentrate on balls, full team strips, tags and cones. Finally discussion were held about the charities relationship with the Federation of Rwandan Rugby, land accusation and the possibilities of annual tours for UK coaches to the country to replicate the one held earlier in the year.
01/06/08 – Rugby Development Officers
FoRR is excited to announce the employment of their first full time Rugby Development Officers (RDO’s). Alexis Sibomana joins the team working hard to develop rugby presence in the Northern Region. Mathieu Muvunyi has taken on the role with a focus of assisting schools in the Southern Region. Both coaches have been supplied with a bicycle and coaching materials as well as equipment for new schools and will be introducing the game to primary and secondary schools. In addition they will have responsible to organise and referee tournaments in their regions with a view to holding inter-regional matches as the teams develop.
FoRR is excited to announce the employment of their first full time Rugby Development Officers (RDO’s). Alexis Sibomana joins the team working hard to develop rugby presence in the Northern Region. Mathieu Muvunyi has taken on the role with a focus of assisting schools in the Southern Region. Both coaches have been supplied with a bicycle and coaching materials as well as equipment for new schools and will be introducing the game to primary and secondary schools. In addition they will have responsible to organise and referee tournaments in their regions with a view to holding inter-regional matches as the teams develop.
May 2008 – Pilot TAG Rugby Tour – Gitarama Region
During the final week of May 3 UK rugby coaches travelled to Rwanda to join trustees Emma Rees and Deena Aiken on the first FoRR coaching tour. Arriving in country Darren Ead, Denise Adams and Sarah Govier undertook the task of initiating 150 P5 primary school children into the game through a series of training sessions. Having requested a core group of 50 students from 3 participating schools the coaching group split down to work with their students from Kabgayi A, Kabgayi B and Shyogwe. The fifth day of work saw the successful competition of a 6 team tournament held in the Gitarama stadium and after an unseasonal torrential downpour play occurred at a cracking pace. Eventual winners Blue Tigers from Shyogwe collected the cup and all teams were left with materials and equipment to continue their programs. Importantly one teacher from each school was developed throughout the week to receive knowledge and coaching support in the future.
During the final week of May 3 UK rugby coaches travelled to Rwanda to join trustees Emma Rees and Deena Aiken on the first FoRR coaching tour. Arriving in country Darren Ead, Denise Adams and Sarah Govier undertook the task of initiating 150 P5 primary school children into the game through a series of training sessions. Having requested a core group of 50 students from 3 participating schools the coaching group split down to work with their students from Kabgayi A, Kabgayi B and Shyogwe. The fifth day of work saw the successful competition of a 6 team tournament held in the Gitarama stadium and after an unseasonal torrential downpour play occurred at a cracking pace. Eventual winners Blue Tigers from Shyogwe collected the cup and all teams were left with materials and equipment to continue their programs. Importantly one teacher from each school was developed throughout the week to receive knowledge and coaching support in the future.
11/05/2008 – A Heartening Display of Women’s Rugby
A trip to Remera-Rukoma was rewarded with a full day of sevens activity exclusively played by girls from 3 participating schools. Remera Rukoma’s two huge schools fielded well-drilled and knowledgeable teams and they spent the day battling in a three way tournament with a team that had travelled from Shyogwe.
17/02/2008 – New Volunteer Arrives
FoRR was delighted to receive Mike Nicolas into the country for a month long stay. With his extensive coaching and business knowledge he was able to spend time working with children in Kigali and made a couple of trips to the North of the country to investigate the activities in the region. One of the highlights of his stay was Mike’s work with the street children of Centre Murembo where his open and smiling attitude was very well received. FoRR’s first venture to Rhungeri coincided with Mike’s visit and 3 days were spent with experienced and enthusiastic players at ISAIE Agricultural University in the beautiful foot hills of the Vurunga Mountains.
January 2008 – 1st Volunteers Return
Kate Alback and Toby Kyle returned to Rwanda for a 3 week stint to continue the work of developing rugby in school and youth groups. In addition they toured this time with 3 of their student from Shanghai. At the conclusion for their stay the group organised a full contact tournament for Nyabagogo Hairy Crabs, Kicukiru Devils, Buffaloes A team, Buffaloes B team and Nyemerambo. Concurrently they held a touch tournament for under 14’s and under 16’s that saw 14 teams take part. Prizes were awarded to all those that took part and a huge tournament was greatly received by its’ many participants. Excellent support for the tournament was given by the local rugby community in the form of organisation and officiating.20/01/2008 – FoRR’s Inaugural Schools League Kicks-off
Kate Alback and Toby Kyle returned to Rwanda for a 3 week stint to continue the work of developing rugby in school and youth groups. In addition they toured this time with 3 of their student from Shanghai. At the conclusion for their stay the group organised a full contact tournament for Nyabagogo Hairy Crabs, Kicukiru Devils, Buffaloes A team, Buffaloes B team and Nyemerambo. Concurrently they held a touch tournament for under 14’s and under 16’s that saw 14 teams take part. Prizes were awarded to all those that took part and a huge tournament was greatly received by its’ many participants. Excellent support for the tournament was given by the local rugby community in the form of organisation and officiating.20/01/2008 – FoRR’s Inaugural Schools League Kicks-off
After many months of hard work Friends of Rwandan Rugby was able to organise and run the first schools league competitions. Four rounds were held concurrently in Kigali and the Gitarama region comprising teams from St Leon, St Joseph, ETO Gitarama, Lycee de Ruhango, Shyogwe, The Red Cross, Ndera, Apade Kichiciru and ESSI Nyamarambo. Eventually league winners from the South, St Josephs, took on Kigali league victors Ndera in the National Schools final. This final game was played in front of a good sized crowd and a tremendous battle saw some wonderful skills from both sides. After an intense 80 minutes, St Josephs from Gitarama were crowned the 2008 Champions and the whole program and final game received good media coverage on the National TV Channel to announce the arrival of schoolboy rugby as a serious force in Rwanda.16/01/2008 – QUIZ Night and Charity Fundraiser
50 of the charities long term supporters attended a fun and informative event in Shepherds Bush. Hosted by Trustee Danny Stoker the evening raised valuable funds and raised interest from rugby club communities where a foundation for future tourists was laid.04/01/2008 – BBC Radio Interview
Emma Rees and Deena Aiken participated in a follow up interview on Five Live, this time with Simon Mayo, which allowed the trustees to report on the work carried out since their previous visit. With a massive audience this 20 minute segment continued to increase the profile of the charity.
