Entebbe Sharks women’s team a Tag Rugby groomed junior side were chanced with brand new Rugby kit that was donated to Tag Rugby Trust by Scimitar Sports in the UK on Thursday 10th May at their training grounds. The full kit was handed over by Tag Rugby Development officer Gary Pidgeon and TRT Lawyer Charlotte Mudoola to player/coach Fortunate Irankunda after a 2 hours training program on basic contact skills.

In attendance were 23 Sharks players who were taken through warm up drills for the five facets of the game improved without infringing on the law. Through a couple of games, Gary explained stringent areas within support play, rucking, coming through the gate, ball protection to mention but a few.

On the other hand the Tag Rugby academy with two teams junior and senior utilised the Sharks Launch to showcase some Tag Rugby skills to visiting Aid volunteer Andy Devon. Andy is in Africa to review performance of Rugby projects and will be leaving for Nakuru on Tuesday 15th May. “I did not know much about how Tag Rugby is played, it is a lovely game that sharpens skills for the youngsters ahead of their Rugby careers. The kids are just so wonderful they make me feel like playing all over and over again. The Tag Rugby Trust is really doing a great job, when Rosenburg and Ian Walker told me about Tag Rugby centres that groom the project kids, l did not think it was this serious, l have a real story to tell” Andy told Tag Rugby media.

The 2-3 year old class captained by little Lucky had a lot to display from try scoring and how to pass the ball when tagged with the help of Tag Rugby super volunteer Ivan Arinaitwe. Andy put on his sneakers very fast and joined one of the teams after watching how to tag an opponent.

Sharks women’s club was started early this year by Fortunate Irankunda and Helen Buteme also a TRT Patron Uganda after observing that there were many girls introduced to Tag Rugby in Entebbe Primary schools but did not have clubs to carry on playing Rugby. Oscar Olaro Rugby club manager said “We have development structures in our plan to include Tag Rugby activities since most of our junior players in Sharks and Entebbe Junior Mongers coming up soon are very skilled youngsters from Tag Rugby’s fast growing grass-root programs in Wakiso District”.

The Tag Rugby Trust is into its third year working in Romania, and as we publish this there are fourteen students from Petroc College, Barnstaple in North Devon working in Romania. Tim Newton (Petroc) and Trevor Martingell (TRT Trustee) are using the week to develop the students leadership skills and introduce Tag Rugby to the rural areas around Sutesti in Valcea County (Approx 3 Hours from the capital Bucharest)

The students (12 Boys & 2 Girls) are aged 17-19 and all have been involved in a Tag Development Programme in North Devon and are now applying these skills by coaching Tag to children whilst running Tag Coach Education to Romanian Teachers in the Area. Quite a challenge when English is not widely spoken in the area ! A great Leadership and Coaching experience.

TRT have worked in Valcea county for three years with Tatiana Marandici. Her experience and dedication has been key in arranging a Leonardo funding stream with Petroc which is central to project going ahead. In addition Petroc students own fundraising efforts, much of which has been done with primary schools in North Devon (Bratton Fleming, Instow and Fremmington, plus South Molton Secondary)

The Students have trained the Romanian students all week and held a Tag Tournament for six rural school – 12 teams competing for 3 cups and the bragging rights as Petroc/TRT Tag Rugby winners 2012. District schools coordinator Adrian Dumistrescu has helped set up the programme and the Sutesti Mayor has also been a great supporter of the programme. Mr Grecu, who was a key helper in the development with TRT in the County, also visited the area of his birth to proudly see the Tag Rugby Development.

Over 150 children have been involved and all attended and played a part in the tournament. The schools were from Sutesti, Susani, Creteni, Dargasani, Voicesti and Mitrofani – all primary schools in villages around the area. Sports teachers and English teachers have been involved in the project and have worked alongside Petroc students. The Tour moves to Ramnicu Valcea for its second week and they will help run a Regional Tag Tournament in the town. This will involve 5 schools who have been playing Tag Rugby for 2 years through previous TRT initiatives.

The team seem to be getting through a lot of work and, judging by the pictures, are having a great time whilst doing so ! – Well done Tim, Trev & Team (TRT Ed)

For the third year on the TRT entered a team of runners into the Paris Marathon to raise funds for TRT projects around the world. 35,000 runners taking on 42 km of Paris streets.

All marathon runners have to eat as much as they can lay their hands on … so, being in Paris that means getting the first steak of the weekend in …

Take in a few Paris sites …

Pick up our running numbers …

Squeeze in a beer before heading for a mountain of pasta …

Get up at the crack of dawn …

Hit the streets …

Celebrate in very obvious “I ran the marathon” tops … and finish with a steak, naturally !

Thanks to everyone that sponsored us … and if you missed the opportunity, its not too late ! Click Here

Harry, Spence, Greg, Pete and Chopsy / Trotter

Uganda Rugby Union chairman, William Blick, during his interaction with the Tag Rugby kids from Nakasero primary school, Deaf and Orphanage schools that took part in the first edition of the Sheraton Nakasero Tag Rugby Festival was pleased with the new innovative Tag Corporate Invest (Tag C.I.) results. “This is so amazing, one hundred and twenty kids all having fun, sharing and communicating easily within a game with other kids with special needs.

URU Chairman, WIlliam Blick, with children in the Tournament

This program that was championed by the TRT Chairman and Trustees in this place early February has began to deliver and we as the Uganda Rugby Union will support and grow with it given the fact it is building numbers for secondary and National team professional Rugby in Uganda” William explained.

Sheraton Kampala sales and marketing manager Jackie Nalubega was pleased to see kids with special needs interact and play competitively against their normal counterparts and hailed the girls great performance in their respective teams. She said Sheraton Hotel is committed to sponsoring this festival annually.

Speaking at the event Sheraton Representative Collins Mpanga did not believe the magnitude of competition, fun and enjoyment amongst the 120 kids from twelve teams. “This is quite amazing, l have had one of the best days of my life from today’s exciting festival. What you have received in this tournament should reflect back when you return to your schools and as Sheraton Hotel Kampala we are proud of joining this large sports exciting family. We shall continue sponsoring this Sheraton Tag Rugby Festival annually to enable the game reach out to other primary schools” Collins explained.

After the finals in which Natete beat Bright Future 5-4 for plate and Mulago edged Bweyogerere school for the Deaf 7-6 for main cup, UWRA chairperson also Tag Rugby coach Jackie Kigozi said “Tag Rugby programs have taken a bigger stride in development of Rugby as a game. We have two new women’s teams Kyadondo Eagles and Entebbe Sharks that emerged this year from the Tag Rugby grassroots programs in primary and secondary schools. The special needs kids involvement is very lovely” Jackie added.

Tag Rugby patron and Rugby manager Yayiro Kasasa asked school teachers to continue training kids in their respective schools to aid better performance in the second term Kampala Grand tournament. He also thanked Sheraton hotel Kampala and Rwenzori Bottling company for their great support towards Tag Rugby and Rugby in general.

Annet Nadunga a pioneer Tag Rugby player from 2002 Busiita primary school, currently head coach for the Tag Rugby Deaf schools, could not hide her joy of seeing kids she enrolled to the game last month dominate the finals and scoop the main cup. “Do not ask me about the tears in my eyes for it is too much joy beyond just being a coach to these fast learning excellent kids, they told me how they felt loved a lot and accepted as kids from normal schools did appreciate their additional effort towards their win. I dedicate my cup victory as a coach to the Tag Rugby Trust and particularly the UK team for facilitating my training sessions, Deaf language classes and sustainability in Kampala District as without these lovely people l would never be head coach for the Deaf schools in Kampala let alone being the successful Annet l am today.

Annet, along with a number of other teachers, were the first in Uganda to receive their Tag Level 1 Coaching Certificates after TRT launched their new Accreditation programme in the country with the Teacher Training also held at Sheraton Gardens back in February.

Twelve teams from ten schools took part in the first edition of the Tag C.I. Sheraton Nakasero Tag Rugby Festival.

Main Cup: Bweyogerere 6 Mulago 7
Plate final: Natete 5 Bright Future 4

See more pictures below

St.Theresa and Bugonga primary school girls exhibited great talent in Entebbe on Saturday emerging champions for the Senior and junior category respectively.

St.Theresa one of the newest schools on board whipped St.Joseph 5-0,Bugonga 3-1 and Lake Victoria 4-2 while Bugonga disappointed St.Joseph 4-1, St.Agnes 4-0 and St.Theresa 2-1 to be crowned champions for the junior category.

Outstanding performance from St.Theresa’s Anne, Namate’s Kezia and St.Agnes’s Fatuma was recognised with medals.

While handing over the outstanding player medals and trophy to Bugonga, Rwenzori Bottling company representative Entebbe Mr. Anthony said “we are proud of being a part of a sport that grooms talent at grassroots level, from our mother body in Kampala, Rwenzori will always sponsor plenty of water for Tag Rugby events all over the country it is how we shall keep track and grow with these players at national team level”.

Entebbe Mongers chairman Oscar Olaro thanked the sponsors, Mongers players, School Head teachers and Tag Rugby officials who have devoted their time to the development of Rugby in Entebbe Municipality at grassroots level.

TRT Super volunteer Entebbe Ivan Arinaitwe said the Girls only tournament was to boost their performance in upcoming tournaments among boys and will be an annual event to help feed the women’s Rugby team Sharks at Mongers Rugby club.

Entebbe Sharks manager (also Tag coach) Fortunate Irankunda turned up for the event and also did scout for ready junior Sharks. The Sharks are new to the Ugandan Womens rugby scene and are drawing nearly all of their players from Tag graduates … watch out for their progress.

All the details below.
London Youth & TRT

Tag Rugby young leaders Asha Nakityo and Phillip Wokorach were on Saturday crowned Most Valuable player women and best upcoming player men respectively at this year’s Uganda Rugby Union Dinner Awards night at the splash Sheraton Hotel, Kampala.
Young Asha Nakityo a senior six student at Kyambogo College did not believe her eyes and ears following her announcement as the winner.

Speaking to Tag Rugby media, Asha said “This is more than l expected in the shortest time, I was crowned best female player last month by USPA and l did not believe l would beat my captains winnie Atyang from my club and Charlotte Mudoola 7’s national team this time round. We need more support for Tag Rugby activities in this country given the rate at which it has seen clubs grow and have more numbers, Kyadondo already reaping from implementation we are the seeds of their support for Tag Rugby” Asha explained.

Phillip Wokorach on the other hand was very pleased making his very first appearance on the senior Rugby Awards nomination list having bagged MVP for the school awards two years running. While receiving his award from Sheraton Managing Director Chris Polard (Tag CI Program sponsors) he said “Success comes from hard work, early grooming makes raising much easier l dedicate my award to Tag Rugby Trust that groomed me into the Phillip I am and Kyadondo Rugby club for their extended hand of assistance”.

Other Tag Rugby officials that won awards include Andrew Olwenyi- MVP Men (Entebbe Mongers Tag Rugby Academy coach) and Beatrice Atim –Best Upcoming women (Tag Rugby coach Entebbe Mongers club). Others that made it on nomination list include Jasper Ochen – nominee Upcoming men ( Young leader), Fiona Nalubwama –nominee Upcoming women (Young leader) Christine Kizito- nominee best coach (Tag Rugby super volunteer), Charlotte Mudoola- nominee MVP Women (TRT Lawyer), Dorothy Nekesa – nominee best journalist ( staff-Tag Rugby media).

The awards were graced by Uganda Commissioner for Sports Omara Apiita who thanked the Rugby fraternity for being organised in terms of management, development structures, sponsors and fans.

The Uganda Rugby Union chairman William Blick hailed Tag Rugby Trust through Chairman Martin Hansford for the great foundation development role the charity has accorded towards Rugby growth in Uganda. “We award Tag Rugby Trust this certificate of recognition for their efforts in promoting grassroots rugby, Martin Hansford and Rob Newman have contributed to the bigger strides Rugby has taken” William charged.

Our record setting Tour Volunteer, Kath Reisner, just sent us a picture of herself with her daughter Isobel, news that we hadn’t shared with the TRT family.

So if the name Kath Reisner isn’t a familiar one to you, thats because Kath set her record in the early years of TRT (then known as TRDT). Her first Tour was to Uganda in 2005 when we visited Bushenyi and had a Tournament in Kampala too.

Kath with her team and Dot (before she learned to smile)

That proved to be just the taste Kath needed, and in 2006 she joined us on our first tour to Zambia (before we cared about having nice colour T-shirts !).

It was there that the TRT Tigers played their first disastrous game, but we all put that down to the coach Gary Townsend.

TRT Tigers (with disgraced coach in the background !)

In 2007 Kath was a part of the first TRT Tour that planned to undo the damage to our reputation from Zambia 2006. The Tour saw Trustee Rob Newman and Huw Roberts take charge of a Tour for the first time … and still Kath came back for more !!!

Kath in action ...with leg brace, couldn't resist !

2008 saw Kath join the India tour, just to get the full TRT “set”, as in those days we only Toured to three countries.

With new Indian friends

In between all this Kath found time to take extended leave from work and spent 6 weeks in Uganda, coaching, mentoring and generally helping out the early days of TRT employees in Kampala. It was when she returned from this trip that I can remember Kath saying to me “Martin, there were 400 kids in the photo we took of the schools in the Tournament in Kampala … I was probably looking at the future of Ugandan Rugby … right there”. The great thing is Kath that many of those kids are indeed the upcoming stars of Ugandan Rugby (mens and womens). You were absolutely right … we’re busy trying to create other centres in Uganda to compete with them !

At least two of these girls are now All India U-16s champions !

The Tours will always be there for you when Isobel grows up and she and Gerard are ready to join in ! Stesh brought her daughter on Tour last year setting a record youngest tourist of 7 months old !
Best wishes to the new family
All at TRT

Kath and Isobel

TRT London recently heard the news that our longest standing Teachers Tag Committee had a new Chairman in Chiti Kasonka, which is great news … but it made us think about former Chairperson, Mary Thindwa, who has been nothing short of amazing in her role since she, Chris Mwamba and the management team started the initiative in 2007.

Mary with volunteers on the first TRT Zambia Tour in 2006

Mary is one of those TRT “super” volunteers that just gets on with it. All the members of the Kitwe Teachers Committee knew exactly what was expected of them, when things were happening and how they could improve their own skills. So when we heard Mary was stepping aside to let Chiti take the reins, we asked her to give us her views on TRT in the Zambian Copperbelt since 2006. This is what she had to say …

By Super Volunteer Mary Thindwa
Tag rugby in Zambia was introduced in mid 2006. Little did we know that there was such a game as this. A group of volunteers came to our town KItwe to introduce this new game to primary school children and they targeted grade 5s.That was the beginning of a long, interesting and challenging journey for us who were in the fore front to take the game forward after the volunteers left. Two schools and a centre for street kids were introduced that year. After five days of teaching the children and teachers how to play the game, a tournament was held in the show grounds where show goers had an opportunity to see this new game which the kids enjoyed so much.

Being a teacher at one of the pioneer schools, my colleagues and l decided to form a teacher committee which would work at spreading tag rugby in other schools around Kitwe and other towns on the Copperbelt. I Mary K Thindwa, became chairperson, Chiti Kasonka Secretary, Cynthia Kabanda Shanzi Coordinator and Oliver Mulenga was to co ordinate other Orphanages around Kitwe. My group was being coordinated by our country tag rugby coordinator Chris Mwamba who pioneered the coming of tag rugby to Zambia. Hats off to him!!

Hundreds of kids have passed through this able team of volunteers, many tournaments and teacher training courses have been conducted and I am proud to say more than 20 primary and private schools are now playing tag rugby in Kitwe. The other achievement I am proud to mention is that Tinashe the super volunteer in Zimbabwe passed through the hands of my able committee and he is now doing great work with TRT in Zimbabwe.

Mary officiating at the Mosi 7's with Oliver after completing IRB Ref Level 1

Many ex tag rugby players in Kitwe are now young leaders taking up the role of training up-coming players. They have been assigned schools where they work with teachers. This too is a plus as they do not engage in immoral activities. While some are now playing contact rugby in their high schools and clubs.

In the last three years tag rugby has spread its wings and its now being played in Ndola, Luanshya, Solwezi and Mkushi. This is due to the hard work of Chris and the team who do the work as volunteers.

During my chairmanship l really enjoyed working with schools and engaging the managers of these schools to come and see their children playing. Chris has been there to help with all the logistics needed in our efficient running of the Kitwe Schools Tag Rugby Committee.

Now that am no longer chair person for Kitwe, am now super volunteer for the TRT working where ever am needed and of course helping Chiti out map up Kitwe’s programs. It’s now part of my life and l love it.

Indeed there are so many children after 2006 still playing tag ruby for fun. Some kids recognise me through tag rugby. Copperbelt is now full of tag rugby and am proud to be associated with the TRT.

Mary K Thindwa.

Undoubtedly one of the most successful rugby team in Zimbabwe at National level is the Zimbabwe Sevens Team, The Cheetahs. The Cheetahs have become a household name in many homes in Zimbabwe featuring and competing amongst the best teams in the world featuring in the HSBC Sevens circuit. Until Saturday 3 March and Sunday 4 March the prestigious Zimbabwe Cheetahs had never played in a home match in front of their home crowd.

As much as it was a long waited opportunity for the cheetahs to shine in front of their own home crowd, it proved to be a magnificent venue for TRT Zimbabwe to showcase Tag Rugby and all aspects the Trust is trying to achieve in Zimbabwe. The Cheetahs from the onset matched expectations qualifying for the Cup Final even managing to beat South African 7s Academy which consisted of former South African National Sevens players and many renowned players from down South.

Due to the nature of the TRT Zimbabwe as a charity we are always striving to network with key people who can be stepping stones whether in just support, sponsorship or in any way they can help to make the Trust successful in the country. The Trust had made a very good connection in Rick Kershaw who is the convener of selectors for the Cheetahs; he also sits in their Technical Committee. He is in the schools Sevens Committee, the Technical Chairman of the national U20 Team, IRB Educator, in management Committee of the Spar International Sevens team and also Compass Head of Sports at Hellenic International Academy. (Believe it or not he is human as well).

Thanks to Rick TRT Zimbabwe was allocated a stand during the tournament and even given a lunch time slot for a display on the main field just before the Finals. From the Saturday the TRT Zimbabwe Team managed to set up a stand which created a lot of awareness for many fans. The stand which was manned by volunteers from Mbare, Mabvuku, and Tafara created a platform for anyone interested to find out more of the TRT Zimbabwe and how they can get involved.

On Sunday there was a massive turn out for the sevens which ultimately meant more exposure for TRT Zimbabwe. So the trust through volunteers organized free tag rugby coaching for all the kids who came to the tournament. Tag Rugby is a fun sport for any kids, boys and girls so the allocated playing area for Tag quickly filled up with children eager to play. The display proved to be the major highlight for TRT Zimbabwe. Four schools where invited to showcase Tag, Mbare Academy, Mbare Bulldogs and Hellenic International Academy.

Ed Whitfield who helps run TRT Zimbabwe came geared with an amazing speech which captivated the crowd with hilarious elements which kept a smile amongst all who listened in. Ed explained how the Tag Rugby Trust came to life in Zimbabwe and how through the management TRT Zimbabwe has stretched with much success in Harare and Marondera with plans to expand as each area becomes sustainable. Ed highlighted that the key constituent of Tag Rugby being successful in each area must be attributed to the sponsors we have in Spar, Creative, Signs of Times and Rooneys.

From the beginning of the year the TRT Zimbabwe Sponsors have been pledging their support namely Spar in financial aid when it comes to transport and meals for the kids who partake in TRT Zimbabwe monthly tournaments. Creative have pledged their support in a printer for the administration work of TRT Zimbabwe. Signs of Times have donated a TRT Zimbabwe banner and two Tear drops. Rooneys have pledged their support in giving TRT Zimbabwe a tent to use at tournaments.

The main rugby field was split into two and Mbare Academy locked horns with Hellenic whilst Mbare Bulldogs took on Mabvuku. During the game Ed used the opportunity to inform fans on the rules of the game and how they could get involved. After 10 minutes Hellenic then took on Mbare Bulldogs whilst Mbare Academy battled out with Mabvuku. During the transition TRT Zimbabwe would like to thank Buffalos who are a team from South Africa who voluntarily provided water for the kids taking part. TRT Zimbabwe also managed to get the National U20 team involved as touch judges during the display. The U20 team will be travelling to USA to compete in the Junior World Trophies in June this year.

The display raised much needed awareness and excitement to those who came to support the Cheetahs. The TRT stand was crowded with supporters, possible volunteers and many more people who came to acknowledge the work of the TRT Zimbabwe. Soon after the display Country Manager Tinashe Shamu was invited for an interview by DSTV Super sport which is Africa’s top entertainment and TV destination for movies, music and TV news, videos and Sports. The program will be screening from 20 March 2012 on DSTV. This will undoubtedly raise more awareness for TRT Zimbabwe in Africa.

During the two days TRT Zimbabwe managed to organize a raffle to raise funds to cover costs for some of the financial costs TRT faces in attaining kit, transport for kids food kids during tournament and some of the financial challenges TRT Zimbabwe is determined to overcome. Congratulations to Mr. Hammond and Mr. Cornish who won the raffle prizes of a Leinster Official Match Replica signed by the Cheetahs, A Gilbert Scrum Cap, Gilbert shoulder pads and a Cheetahs golf Shirt.

TRT Zimbabwe would like to thank Signs of Times for making and donating 2 TRT Zimbabwe Tear Drops and 1 large banner. TRT Zimbabwe would also like to thank Rooney’s for giving TRT Zimbabwe a Stand in which we operated from throughout the weekend, Farai Jijita, Victor Mushoriwa, Shane Joubert and Denial Rorke of U20 National Team, The Zimbabwe Cheetahs for their support for TRT Zimbabwe by donating Cheetahs shirt for the raffle and all volunteers who made the weekend a success.