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The continued expansion and development of Rwandan rugby – leading to life-changing experiences for many of the young players involved – is almost wholly dependent on corporate support and community spirit.

Already, countless companies and individuals have contributed money, time and effort towards making the Silverbacks’ overseas tours a success. The tours help raise the profile of rugby in Rwanda, thus putting in place building blocks for its continued expansion.

Numerous young players have benefited from an incredible rugby and life experience by touring overseas, making new friends and being superb ambassadors for their country.

While in Hong Kong, the Rwandan players have trained with elite touring teams including the Penguins (UK), Aliens (NZ) and the French Pyrenees, and benefited from sessions with elite coaches including Japan coach John Kirwan and former Scotland coach Frank Hadden.

Many of the squad have completed an IRB Level 1 coaching course that qualifies them to teach youngsters back home the basics of the game.

The Rwandans have made positive headlines around the world – main sports story in the South China Morning Post; featured in a special report on CNN; and interviewed on IRB’s Total Rugby radio show.

The Federation Rwandaise de Rugby (Rwandan Rugby Federation) has secured a home pitch, taking out a three-year lease on a playing field belonging to a school in the capital, Kigali.

Youth rugby has enjoyed a boom with several clubs starting new teams for teenagers while women’s rugby is on the increase. Many of the teams play in kit and equipment donated by Hong Kong clubs.

Three members of the Penguins Coaching Academy – the aforementioned Hadden, Scottish Rugby Union referee development manager Colin Brett and Penguins manager Craig Brown – visited Rwanda in December 2010 to conduct a week-long series of clinics.

All these milestones have been achieved as a direct result of corporate and individual support. For the success story to continue, more assistance is needed. By supporting Rwandan rugby you can:

• Attract positive publicity and raise your company’s profile
• Demonstrate your company’s social responsibility and awareness
• Associate your brand with a worthy, community-based project
• Create a platform for networking and client entertainment
• Embrace rugby’s ideals of teamwork, sportsmanship and fair play

Please click here to find out more about sponsorship of the Hong Kong tours, or click here to make an online donation.