TRT News

INAUGURAL LUANSHYA BASIC SCHOOLS TAG RUGBY TOURNAMENT HELD ON SATURDAY, 16th July, 2011

on Jul 18 in News, Tour, Zambia tagged by RuckinRugby

Report By : Chris Mwamba
Venue: MPELEMBE BASIC SCHOOL

Luanshya town which host the Roan Antelope Rugby Club which formerly held the record for highest goal posts in the world (recognised by the Guinness Book of Records at 110 ft 6 inches high) was added to the map of tag rugby venues in Zambia.

A truly international group of 18 Volunteers representing United Kingdom, Zimbabwe, and Zambia, kicked off the work in Luanshya coaching in 6 local government basic Schools from 11 th -15 th July.

Camping at Makoma Dam a place well known venue for boating, water-skiing & sailing, mostly by expatriates working on the mines in the 1960s, 70s & late 80s, but has not lost its glory days.

The three groups set about the daily schedule that included coaching over 600 boys and girls in schools located in ex- mine townships & local authority areas and managed culminating in a 8 team tournament at Mpelembe Basic School.

All TRT Tours have a unique and special feel about them created by so many people from diverse backgrounds coming together to work towards a common goal. This tour included Clare Daniels, England’s top female rugby union referee and is on the IRB women’s Panel and having officiated at three IRB World Cups. Clare is also a RFU Southern Region Referee Development officer and has been involved in the Community game. Her coming to Zambia will boost the interest of young Zambian girls to get in to match officiating.

Luanshya launch will now bring on board a Inter-district league involving schools from Kitwe &
Ndola.

Present to represent ZRFU & Roan Antelope Rugby Club was, ZRFU Life-vice President & Roan
Rugby Club Life Member Mr. John Ike Mwanza who has been involved in the
development local rugby for over 35 yrs.

Tag Rugby Trust Zambia

Results.
Participating teams were, Ndelela, Roan, Mpelembe Saints, Mpelembe Storm, Bwananyina,
Buteko, & Chaisa.

Teams were grouped in two pools and the top 4 qualified for Inaugural Mwamba Cup &
plate categories.

Plate finalists were
Bwananyina 2, Roan 1. Refereed by Clare Daniels

Mwamba Cup Finalists
Mpelembe Storms 3, Ndelela 2 .Refereed by Gary Pidgeon.

Tag rugby will be the main feature at Roan Rugby club and will form part of the club in house
junior rugby development programs. Tag rugby Kit has been left behind with the schools and local volunteer Matani Luhanga, &
his team will coordinate the school programs.
UK & Zimbabwean volunteers being managed by TRT Trustee Chris Tapper and tour leader
Aidan Botten moved to Livingstone via Baobab College being hosted by friend of the Charity
John Turner and his team in Lusaka.

For Your diary.

23rd July 2011 – Kitwe Schools Inaugural Under 14 Girls (senior) Tag Rugby
Festival. Venue: Kitwe Basic School: Time 08.30hrs.

I salute you all
Chris Mwamba
Volunteer ZRFU Copperbelt Schools & Tag Rugby Trust Country Coordinator.