Nauru joins rugby family
Nauru joins rugby family
Cyprus still overlooked …. ?
“Get into Rugby (GiR) campaign aims to encourage players of all ages to Try, Play and Stay in Rugby, with a global target of attracting one million new players and 15,000 new coaches and referees over the next four years.”
The South Pacific nation of Nauru has become the latest member of the global Rugby community. Its application for Associate Membership of the International Rugby Board was endorsed at the recent Federation of Oceania Rugby Unions (FORU) Annual General Meeting in Tahiti earlier this month.
The small Micronesian island lies 42 kilometres south of the equator and Rugby is a relatively new sport to Nauru. Former Australian Schoolboy representative, present Nauru Rugby President and Member of Parliament, the Honourable Kieren Keke is delighted at the membership.
“For decades a significant number of Nauruans who spent time studying or working overseas – primarily in Australia, Fiji and New Zealand – were exposed to and actively played rugby.The interest level in rugby on the island has continuously increased over the years as these Nauruans returned home with a love of rugby.”
That love for the game led to a number of ad hoc tournaments being arranged over the years with often up to 100 players turning up to play in games that have rarely involved full contact.
“These early tournaments focused on growing the player participation base with a good mix of both new and experienced players taking part,” Keke said.
With the formation of the Nauru Rugby Union on 17 June, 2011 tournaments have now become far more organized with official tournaments such as the Open Cup due to be run in 2014.
Keke added that the introduction of such tournaments will include some modified laws as Rugby is further developed in Nauru,
“The game will be played as close to the full game of Sevens Rugby as possible without contact.The tackle will be replaced with a tag and there will be modified non-contested rucks, however all other elements of the game will be incorporated.”
“This means set pieces, kicking and other game skills and strategies will need to be employed by the teams, with necessary minor modifications.”
The rise in rugby in Nauru has not gone unnoticed by the International Rugby Board which launched its very popular Get into Rugby (GiR) campaign in Nauru last month. The IRB’s GiR campaign aims to encourage players of all ages to Try, Play and Stay in Rugby, with a global target of attracting one million new players and 15,000 new coaches and referees over the next four years.
The programme aims to promote the values of the Game in a safe and friendly environment.
Nauru joins rugby family – FACEBOOK Page
Source : RugbyRedefined.com
