Our work in Romania started back in 2010, when Tatiana Marandci co-ordinated a project where the Stationers’ Crown Woods Academy in London got Comenius Regio funding to go and introduce tag rugby and our Young Leader programmes. This great work has been continued with Erasmus+ funding tours of students from Petroc College near Barnstaple in North Devon.

Regional Transformation

To date, our main projects have principally been based in Ramnicu Vâlcea and other towns in Vâlcea County. Proving that our model of “local ownership and sustainability” really works, the local volunteers and Young Leaders have now reached out and developed programmes in other towns and areas. Excitingly, this has transformed a region well known for handball and volleyball, but forecast as a “non starter” for rugby by the Romanian Rugby Federation, to one where tag rugby is now played in schools. More recently, Catalin Predrescu and Bogdan Matei have formed Club Lykaios, the local rugby and sports club. This now provides a focus for all Young Leader activity and development, as they play key roles in the day-to-day running and management of the club. Hurstmere School helped start projects in both the Bucharest district of Grivita and the nearby town of Varasti. All this work has been continued and developed by Petroc College and Catalins Club Lykaios Vâlcea County development.

helping children with special needs

As with all countries, we actively search out and engage with children with special needs and work with orphanages. In Romania, we also focus on Roma Gypsy schools. Being in Europe, and TRTs nearest partner country, Romania makes a perfect destination for UK volunteers, Young Leader and schools, to visit, develop their skills and really make a difference.

Check out Petroc College’s trip to Lykaios