KATIMA MULILO – The first edition of the rugby tournament under the Get Into Rugby programme was held in Katima Mulilo recently, attracting more than 1 200 boys and girls between the ages of 7 and 11.
Head of Strategic Marketing and Communications at FNB Namibia, Dixon Norval, said: “We are as overwhelmed with the participation as the Namibia Rugby Union. It goes to show that rugby is alive and well in Namibia and we are pleased to have played a major part in making this possible for our rugby loving nation.”
The FNB Foundation handed over N$300 000 to the Namibia Rugby Union as part of the IRB Get Into Rugby programme. The focus is on development level where schools, teachers and coaches are encouraged to involve young children in the sport of rugby.
Henry Kemp, forwards coach for the senior national team who also doubles up as development manager for the NRU, said 70 pupils from Zambezi Private and 1 150 pupils from Ngweze Primary schools took part in the programme.
“The other areas are also growing fast and the final numbers look to be in the region of 5 200 boys and girls. I am thankful for FNB’s enormous contribution and am sure that your money was and will still be well spent,” he added
The programme is aimed at ensuring rugby is accessible to all Namibians. The NRU said their aim is to increase their player base from about 6 500 to 15 000 by the year 2015. Altogether 12 tournaments will be staged throughout Namibia with the last one to be held in Windhoek on November 2.