News

The Champs-ICETAR

Managed by MINEDUC (Rwandan Ministry of Education) who provided transport, accommodation and trophies, these school games are held in All sports including Netball, Soccer, Volleyball, Basketball, Handball and Basketball, rugby is a recent addition to the programme.
Here are the results of the Rugby semi-finals;

E.T Mukingi, Ruhango beat INYEMERAMIHIGO COLLEGE, Rubavu 107-0
ICETAR, Kamonyi beat G.S GAHINI, Kayonza 53-9.

During the final E.T Mukingi took on ICETAR in a hard game with Mukingi dominating the first half until they unfortunately lost their two best players at fly half and second centre due to injury which gave ICETAR the initiative in the second half. The final score was 6-3 to ICETAR who now have the opportunity to represent Rwanda in the Federation of East African Secondary Schools Championship in to be held in Bujumbura, Burundi this August. The games were refereed by FoRR Programme Manager, Kamanda Tharcisse, FoRR RDO Hakizimana Laurien and Rwandan Rugby Federation Representative, Itanzi Jean Baptiste.

WELCOME BACK AND THANK YOU TO OUR 2012 COACHES!
FoRR would like to announce the completion of our largest tour group to Rwanda yet. The group was based in Huye in the South of Rwanda and developed rugby in six primary schools in the town which culminated in a wonderful tournament on the final day. A full report of activities will follow shortly.

05/05/2012 Muhanga TAG Rugby Tournament

8 teams from 7 primary schools met at Kabgayi Stadium to participate in a TAG Rugby Tournament organised by FoRR RDO Laurien Hakizimana.  Participating schools included; Shyogwe, Kabgayi A, Kabgayi B, Gitarama, Mbare, Remera and Gahoho. Shyogwe Primary School brought two teams and the final saw Shoygwe B win against Gitarama and the final score was 35 points to 15. Laurien managed the day and refereed with support from the Schools’ Sports Teachers.

During this week, FoRR RDO Alex Sibomana worked with a number of primary and secondary schools in the Northern Region of the country. Participating schools included Rulindo Primary, GS Nyiramiroli Primary and Secondary, ES Apeki Timna and Tumba Public Primary Schools and each school sent 80-120 students who benefitted from the coaching skills and enthusiasm of the visiting coaches.

Today saw eight teams from across the country compete in Kigali throughout a rainy day to become Rwandan National schools champions of 7’s rugby. Eteka, ETO Gitarama, Ecole Secondaire Mulindi, Ecole Technique Mukingi, Rushaki College, Ecole Secondaire Buringa & Apred Ndera all took part and it was wonderful to see students from across Rwanda come together for a festival of fun. FoRR RDO Sibomana Alexis was able to source milk and water generously supplied by INYANGE Industries and the teams shared lunch as well as competition. FoRR program manager Tharcisse Kamanda said that although it was very hard for he and his RDO’s to organise the finals all players and officiials had a terrific day. Refereeing support was provided by Itanzi Jean Baptiste, Nemeye Emmy & Nsengimana Felix. The event was attended by Federation of Rwandan Rugby Secrectary General Ugeziwe Janvier and Vice President Alex Araire with eventual winners Apred Ndera defeating Ecole Technique Mukingi in a tight final seven points to five.

The weekend saw FoRR’s Rugby Development Officers hold a series of tournaments in regions across the country.  The prize, in each contest, being a trip to Kigali to compete in the finals series. The winners of that competition will be crowned Rwandan National 7’s School Champions for 2011. Games were held between 18 schools in locations including the Muhanga Stadium, Mulindi Tea Factory and in Ruhango. The winners were Eteka, E.S. Mulindi and ETO Gitarama. FoRR would also like to thank MUHIRE Nardi, NEMEYE Emmy and KAMALI Vincent for their efforts in officiating the matches. Finally congratulations must go to all coaches, teachers and players on their fantastic efforts

A brilliant tour to Huye was completed recently with 11 tourists delivering huges amounts of equipment to new schools and re-launching the game in this region. FoRR is now looking to employ a full timwe RDO in Huye to sustain the work initiated by this great group of coaches.

The Federation of Rwandan Rugby recently created the post of Schools Commissioner and granted the position to Tharcisse Kamanda. This new official role will empower Kamanda to build on the many years of work he has performed trying to entrench the game in schools in the country. An ambitious plan for development across the whole nation will now be guided by the Federation and as the program manager of UK Registered charity Friends of Rwandan Rugby, Kamanda is in a fantastic position to get resources to both primary and secondary schools.

FoRR was delighted to be the recipient of a breakfast hosted by Shaun Edwards at the High Wycombe stadium. The event saw a gathering of 75 Wasps business supporters who were entertained by an amusing question and answer session. During his talk Shaun highlighted the good that he had seen rugby do in South Africa whilst on tour with the British and Irish Lions and he threw his whole hearted support behind FoRR.  He even expressed an interest in coming out to Rwanda to do some coaching in oncoming off seasons.

In the rural community of Northern Rwanda a spark has been lit. One single Rugby Development Officer, Alexis Sibomana is now reporting over 1500 students from local schools have taken instruction on the rules of rugby and participated in a variety of training sessions. In addition to the students Alexis is working on the basics of refereeing with 7 keen refs in a hope of providing more game opportunities for the eager youths. An exhaustive schedule see the following programs receive instruction on a weekly basis EP KANIGA, EP & ES BUGOMA,EP & ES MULINDI, EP KARAMBI,EP MUGINA, EP & ES KIRUHURA,  EP MUKARANGE,EP& ES NYAGAKIZI, and COLLEGE DE RUSHAKI

The southern part of Rwanda continues to be a great breeding ground for young rugby talent. Southern Rugby Development Officer Muvunyi Mathieu reported that 8 schools in his area are now actively playing the game. Kiziberi, Kageyo, Mbuye, Amizero, Ruhango Catholic, Nyamagana, Gitisi and Munni are all creating and developing teams. Planning has begun for a tournament to take place in 2011.

After a recent coaching visit to Rwanda Frank Hadden contacted the charity to ask if there was anything that he could contribute. From first hand experience he was clearly impressed with the passion and commitment of local Rwandan rugby community. Although slightly shocked about the lack of a suitable playing area he spent time with Scottish Regional Referee Development Manager Colin Brett up skilling players and coaches drawing on their vast experience.  Frank has pledged to raise the issue of land with IRB officials. Friends of Rwandan Rugby continues its commitment to help finance the purchase once a suitable field has been sourced.

As one of the first two females to assist on an official FoRR coaching tour Agnes NIYOTUMUKESHA has continued to blaze a trail for female coaches in the country. She has started to develop teams in the Ntenyo area and is working with teams from Kageyo and Kizebere primary schools. A friendly fixture is planned for December 2010 and with assistance from the Southern Rugby Development officer this area looks set to continue both boys and girls fixtures into the future. She stated that even with access to limited materials the area is still really hungry to learn more about the sport.

On the 24th October 2010 our rugby development officer, Muvunyi Mathieu organised a TAG tournament in Huye between the teams who were introduced to rugby on the 2009 Tour. The tournament winners were NGOMA the second was TUMBA the third was KIBONDO and the fourth was NGOMA B. The first team got a big cup, the second got a small cup, the third and fourth got the balls and the trained teacher got the Friends of Rwandan Rugby Certificate.