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ZRU partners school in grassroots initiative

Sport
The Zimbabwe Rugby Union (ZRU) yesterday unveiled a partnership with Mother Touch Group of Schools in an initiative that will see the institution becoming one of the development centrer for World Rugby-sanctioned grassroots programme, Get into Rugby.

The Zimbabwe Rugby Union (ZRU) yesterday unveiled a partnership with Mother Touch Group of Schools in an initiative that will see the institution becoming one of the development centrer for World Rugby-sanctioned grassroots programme, Get into Rugby.

BY DANIEL NHAKANISO

The Get into Rugby programme is part of the world rugby governing body’s strategy to grow the game globally, as the sport makes a return to the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro next year.

Mother-touch-rugby-donation

Speaking at the official launch of the partnership at Mother Touch Junior School in the capital yesterday, ZRU director of rugby Brighton Chivandire said: “We are humbled that a world class facility like this has humbly welcomed Zimbabwe Rugby Union to come here and initiate a development programme for the community.

“On behalf of Zimbabwe Rugby Union and World Rugby, I would like to thank Mother Touch Group of Schools for embracing the Get into Rugby development programme, which aims to introduce the game to both young and old participants.

“One of our key performance indicators as ZRU is to spread the game to as many people as possible, both male and female and Mother Touch Group of Schools is going to help spread the game to this community. “We believe that this is the start of a long term relationship as we continue to strike to grow the game in our country.”

Mother Touch Group of Schools founder and chief executive, Salome Mutsinze, whose school is also working with the Kirsty Coventry Swimming Academy, said they were confident the partnership would help spread the game in their community.

“As Mother Touch Group of Schools, we pride ourselves in leading the way in a number of facets the school is involved in, and now Zimbabwe Rugby Union has provided us with yet another great opportunity,” she said.

“Today, in conjunction with ZRU, we have gone a step further towards achieving our vision by taking yet another leading role by becoming a developmental centre of rugby and we have faith that it will be a long successful and prosperous relationship.”

Zimbabwe and Tunisia were in 2012 selected for the pilot project for the Get into Rugby grassroots development initiative, but due to its success it has since grown to incorporate 32 African countries.

The aim of the programme is to promote the values of the game and ensure children are encouraged to try rugby in a safe and progressive environment.