Why Rwanda?
96% of the child population at the time of the genocide in 1994 are thought to have witnessed the bloodshed first hand. There is a big role for sport in healing wounds left from social conflict and upheaval.
Why Rugby?
Rugby is a post genocide sport which is why it has been hugely successful providing young Rwandans with new memories and shared experiences. The friendships that are formed through rugby last a lifetime.
How did we start?
In 2001 Emma Rees a VSO volunteer teacher introduced the game to students in Rwanda with 2 balls and sand filled socks to mark out the pitch. FoRR now provides coaching and matches through the employment of rugby development officers.
Who are we?
Friends of Rwandan Rugby is a small, innovative charity which teaches the joys of rugby to children and young adults throughout Rwanda. FoRR’s mission is to promote reconciliation, health and well-being through sport, using rugby to build trust, friendships and foster shared experiences on the rugby field.
What do we do?
FoRR focuses on teaching rugby to children and young adults in schools and communities across Rwanda. Through our rugby development officers Friends of Rwandan Rugby is able to facilitate the implementation and growth of rugby in primary and secondary schools nation-wide. Our Rwandan programme manager, Kamanda Tharcisse, has recently been elected as President of the Federation of Rwandan Rugby. This provides a valuable opportunity to coordinate our work in schools with that of the Rwanda Rugby Federation’s efforts to grow the game.
We are working hard to put in place an infrastructure to support school rugby’s growth by empowering teachers with knowledge & the skills to deliver rugby activities. FoRR is concentrated on the development of grass roots rugby in rural areas as we believe that by providing access to thousands of children all over the nation it will ensure there are young and talented players coming up through the system into the rapidly expanding club sides and beyond.
FoRR’s core day to day activities involve:
- We organise regular friendly games and support the 15 a side National League;
- Last year we organised 17 rugby tournaments in primary and secondary schools;
- We provide coaching and organise tournaments of Tag Rugby, Sevens and 15 a side rugby;
- We provide referees to officiate in all of the school rugby activities across the country;
- We employ full time rugby development staff who teach day to day in schools, youth groups and clubs.
