adminRicky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
THE Matabeleland Rugby Football Board (MRFB) has hailed the spreading of junior rugby to Hwange through the Old Mutual Rugby Development Programme targeting players between the ages of 12 to 19. MRFB head of junior development and Zimbabwe Rugby Union national development officer George Mukorera said training programmes set for Hwange schools would help the growth of the game in Matabeleland North province.
Hwange is one of the four centres, which include Chiredzi, Masvingo and Chinhoyi, that are being targeted by the Old Mutual Rugby Development Programme.
“Lack of funding has been the biggest challenge in as far as taking rugby to previously marginalised communities is concerned. As custodians of rugby, we’re grateful to Old Mutual for helping with the development of the game at grassroots levels because that’s a key area which has been neglected. I believe that this Old Mutual programme will not only develop Hwange, but the province as a whole, and the fruits of the hard work will be reaped at national level,” said Mukorera.
In implementing the development programmes, Old Mutual will provide transport allowances for qualified rugby coaches that will be conducting training clinics at identified centres.
Old Mutual will also provide team and individual prizes for tournaments held, rugby balls, cones, ruck shields, tackling bags, and ball bags for all the centres.
Mukorera said primary schools would play tag rugby, while secondary schools would compete in the 15s and sevens formats during community and inter-community festivals.
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