Tag Rugby brings a smile to children's faces
(IRB.COM) Wednesday 30 July 2008

Zambia has some of the most beautiful attractions in the world, but like many other African nations these sights are tempered by the poverty on display and the small town of Kitwe is no different. 
Life is a struggle for its inhabitants as they try to earn a living.

Yet rugby has managed to find its way there and it’s all thanks to Martin Hansford, who saw a game of Tag Rugby being played in England and took the idea with him to a school in Uganda.

Total Rugby recently paid a visit to Zambia with him to find out how the Tag Rugby Development Trust (TRDT) are putting smiles on the faces of youngsters and introducing them to the game of rugby at the same time.

“When we first tried Tag Rugby after just a weeks coaching we made four teams, had a small round robin tournament and the reaction was incredible,” Hansford, the Tag Rugby Development Trust Chairman, told Total Rugby.

“I knew then that there was scope to do something more with the model of tag rugby in primary schools, and from there we’ve grown to working in Zambia and India. This is our third tour to Zambia and it’s been a great success on all fronts.”

In Tag Rugby there are no scrums or lineouts and even tackling is forbidden, the aim of the game is simply to pull a tag off an opponent to make them pass. The rules may seem strange at first but it’s the easy access and simplicity of the game that appeals.

Encouraging children to stay in school

“Initially it’s a little but hard to adjust to but I think it’s a much better game than playing touch rugby,” admitted teacher Tony Thompson. “I think there’s a lot of fun in it and you can play boys and girls together. There’s a lot of running, a lot of skill involved – it’s just a lovely exuberant game.”

Since their first trip back in 2002, the Tag Rugby Development Trust has organised nine tours. On these tours the coaches are all volunteers and the target is the grass roots level, not to mention leaving behind the skills so they can continue playing.

“I think sport is an area where you can give an opportunity on a very equal level,” added Hansford. “The children have a great time, they learn something, we leave their teachers with some new skills they can use and keep training the kids even when we’re not around.”

As well as learning a new sport, there’s also an added incentive for the children to stay in school – to be able to take part in the end of week tournament.

“It’s stimulated interest in children coming to school, those who used to be absent are now joining their friends. It involves everyone, it’s easy to learn, it’s interesting so they should be there for their friends, they should support them,” admitted teacher Jane Cassa.

Schools from all over the local area came to participate. In fact there were well over one hundred children running round in brightly coloured tops and the enthusiasm shown for this form of the game will hopefully lead to a lifelong interest in rugby, as well as teaching them important life skills for the future.

Motivating the next generation

“If the young ones can get the skill and the knowledge through our teachers, I’m sure we’ll go a long way in motivating our people to be involved in rugby,” added Clement Sinyida, the Zambia’s Deputy Minister for Education.

“I know that if we make a lot of investment in our young people, these are the ones that in turn will make this country stronger and stronger in the near future.

For the record the Justin Kabwe Buffaloes won the tournament, but for once it really didn’t matter as it was the taking part that counted for the children, and with a turnout like this the future looks bright for Tag Rugby Development Trust.

“In terms of where I would like to see it go, I’m keen that was review what we’ve done, improve the processes where we can along the way, make sure we keep it fresh for people,” explained Hansford.

“I think one of the key things is I would like to find a way of making more people aware of what we do so that they can, if they’d like too, if they’re interested, come along and join us on a tour.”

And, by the looks of it, they will always be guaranteed a warm welcome whenever or wherever they visit.

This Tag Rugby package will feature on this week's Total Rugby Radio show, from 18:00 UK time on Thursday 31 July...