Kit collection caps successful Silverbacks tour

Rwanda’s rugby players will return home from their 2011 Hong Kong tour with happy memories and enough donated kit to equip an entire league.

The Silverbacks will take with them dozens of brand new sets of playing strip, hundreds of unused boots, plus tracksuits, training gear and T-shirts – all donated by the Hong Kong rugby community.

The equipment will be given to teams competing in the East African country’s fast-expanding rugby scene, where enthusiasm is plentiful but decent kit is more difficult to come by.

Well wishers also contributed women’s and children’s clothing, food and other goodies – leaving the Rwandan team with the headache of how to carry it all when they fly home on Thursday (31 March).

“We’re once again overwhelmed by the generosity and spirit of the Hong Kong rugby community,” said Silverbacks captain Djuma-Adams Mugabo.

“The rugby equipment will be put to good use back in Rwanda, where our sport is enjoying a real boom and more men’s and women’s teams of all ages are being formed.

“All the other items will go to those people most in need and will be very warmly received. Words cannot express our gratitude to the people of Hong Kong.”

The collection – centred at the Harbour Plaza Hotel in North Point – was organised by Hong Kong Rugby Football Union director of development Ruth Mitchell, who co-ordinated a similar initiative during Rwanda’s first tour a year ago.

“The response from the rugby community has, once again, been amazing,” she said. “We ended up with about 20 giant canvas bags full of clothing and equipment – about twice as much as last year.”

The Silverbacks reached the Cup semi-finals in last week’s Altus Kowloon RugbyFest and then completed a Level 1 coaching course organised by the famous Penguins Coaching Academy.

Many of the players also took part in the annual Bali Memorial Game at Hong Kong Football Club. The match, between the Pot Bellied Pigs RFC and HKFC Vandals, has been played every year since 2003 in memory of those who lost their lives in the 2002 Bali bombings, including 12 players and supporters from Hong Kong.

The entire Rwandan squad then attended the world famous Hong Kong Sevens, enjoying the atmosphere of the tournament’s infamous South Stand.

“The 2011 visit to Hong Kong has been another important step in the development of Rwandan rugby,” said Rwanda volunteer worker Dave Hughes, organiser of the Silverbacks’ tours.

“These tours are all about raising the profile of the sport in Rwanda, putting in place building blocks for its continued expansion and giving the players an unforgettable rugby and life experience.

“We are hugely indebted to Ruth for organising another massively successful equipment collection and to Altus Kowloon RFC for their financial support and for once again making the Silverbacks welcome at RugbyFest.

“A number of Altus Kowloon old boys contributed to the Rwandan team and sourced sponsorship for us. In addition, the club waived Rwanda’s RugbyFest entry fees and paid for the team’s tickets to watch the Sevens.

“We would also like to thank all our other sponsors, patrons and benefactors from the Hong Kong rugby community who helped make the tour possible. We will be back next year.”

The Silverbacks’ 2011 tour was funded by sponsorship from CB Richard Ellis, G4S, Woodland Pre-Schools and Emboss Capital.

Altus Kowloon chairman Anson Bailey said the club was delighted to once again be part of such a worthwhile venture.

“It’s been a pleasure to see the smiles on the faces of these young Rwandan players and it’s immensely satisfying to know that the rugby community here in Hong Kong can join together to make a difference,” he said.

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Released on behalf of the Rwandan Silverbacks by Two Up Front – Asia's sports PR specialists.