Old Mutual spreads rugby across the country

Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
AT least 4,000 players from the ages of 12-19 are in line for this year’s top class training through the Old Mutual Rugby Development Programme. The Old Mutual Development Programme was established to support previously marginalised communities and started at four centres in Bulawayo and Harare in 2014 before expanding to 16 communities in 2015 with more than 50 schools participating.

Coaches trained 1,600 rugby players when the programme started in 2014 and the figure increased to 2,500 last year, with recipients coming from Bulawayo, Harare, Victoria Falls, Matopos, Esigodini, Marondera, Hwedza, Mutare, Kwekwe, Gweru and Kariba.

Old Mutual group chief executive officer Jonas Mushosho said the 2016 programme will see four more centres in Chiredzi, Masvingo, Hwange and Chinhoyi benefiting.

“The Old Mutual Community Programme funding also provides transport allowances, team and individual prizes for tournaments, rugby balls, cones, ruck shields, tackling bags and ball bags for all the centres in order for them to train and participate in community and inter-community tournaments and festivals.

“The number of communities this year will increase to 20, to include Chiredzi, Masvingo, Hwange and Chinhoyi. Three more high density areas in and just outside Harare and Bulawayo will also benefit from this programme,” said Mushosho.

He said they had partnered with Tag Rugby Trust in their development initiative.

“Another exciting development this year is the inclusion of Tag Rugby in our sponsorship. This covers boys and girls in the six to 12 years age group. Prior to this development, our sponsorship catered for players aged between12 and19 years. Through our sponsorship in 2016, Tag Rugby is expected to benefit an additional 4,000 boys and girls, 78 clubs or schools and will involve 78 volunteers,” Mushosho said.

Old Mutual are also the official sponsors of the Under-20 Junior Sables and the 2016 World Rugby Under-20 Trophy that will see teams competing for the trophy in Harare from April 19 to May 1.