Nigeria Rugby Football Federation Release 2016 Rugby Calendar

The Nigeria Rugby Football Federation has made public her 2016 calendar of activities on 5th of February, and Some of the programs are listed below:

LEAGUES
The Regional leagues which consists of the North Central, North West, South South/East and the South West league will kick off in March and April respectively.

The Super Cup determines who the National Champions are. And it will be held in November

AFRICA CUP
The African Cup 1C is the pre-qualifier for The 2019 Rugby World cup. This year’s tournament will be staged in Casablanca, Morocco in June. Participating teams in the qualifier includes Mauritius, Morocco, Cameroon and Nigeria.

The African Cup 7s will feature 12 African countries, such as Kenya, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Mauritius, Uganda, Zambia, Botswana, Madagascar, Tunisia, Morocco, Senegal and Nigeria, the tournament will be held in September in Nairobi, Kenya.

The Nigeria Sevens season will open from July till November. several sevens tournament will be held across the country in this period. The tournaments include: Liliker 7s Zaria, Independence 7s Lagos, Plateau Invitational 7s, President Cup Lagos and the proposed Niger Delta 7’and Eastern 7s.

Nigeria Rugby 7s Team

OTHERS

Other events reflected in the calendar include Coaching and referee courses schedule to hold in the second quarter of the year. The GIR developmental program will run through the year and lastly, the schools and female rugby festival with dates yet to be determined.

Speaking with the Technical Director of the federation Fasimoye Olatunji, He said the year is going to be a very busy one for the federation and its athletes, ‘ As you can see from the list of programs, it is going to be our busiest year thus far and it will also impact greatly on the development of the Rugby in Nigeria. we believe we can do more if giving adequate support from private organizations but we will like to thank Mr Kelechukwu Mbagu the Chairman of Friends of Rugby who has been using his company CMB Building Maintenance and Investment Company Limited to support all the activities of the federation’.

Independence Rugby 7s’ International Flavour Good For Home Based Boys – Fom Pam

The President of the Nigerian Rugby Football Federation, Sir. Edward Fom Pam says the fast approaching CMB Building Maintenance & Investment Company Ltd sporsored Independence Rugby Sevens invitational tournament organised by the Friends of Rugby in conjunction with the federation will positively impact on the standard of the home based players.

“We have our Independence Sevens coming up, slated for October and a lot of international clubs are coming to beef up the competition.”

“Like the Western Province and other clubs coming from UK and across Africa, you know that it will beef up the intensity of your home grown players”

Cowrie RFC Captain Azeez Ladipo Receiving the winner’s Trophy from then Governor of Lagos State Babatunde Fashola

He believes the tournament which will be held between the 23rd and 24th of October at the Onikan stadium featuring foreign clubs like Accra Sharks from Ghana, Western Province of South Africa, Parakou RFC of Republic of Benin, UR7s of Kenya, Panthers International and Merlins Invitational both from the UK will definitely stretch the home based players to the limit and bring out the best in them..

According to the technical committee of the federation, the tournament will be used by the national team handlers to select players to camp ahead of the 2016 Olympics qualifiers coming up in Johannesburg in November.

“We are mixing our grassroots players with our foreign exports also known as Nigerian Exiles ahead of the Olympics qualifiers”.

Defending Champions Cowrie RFC will lead other Nigerian club sides- Barewa RFC, Kaduna RFC, Sabon Geri RFC, Jos RFC, Racing RFC, Police Machines, Gosar RFC, South South 7s and South East 7s to the 2 day competition.

NRFF Announces Slight Adjustment To Independence Rugby Sevens Date

The Nigerian Rugby Football Federation in conjunction with Friends of Rugby have finally announced Friday, 23rd and Saturday, 24th of October as dates for this year’s International Independence Rugby Sevens taking place at the Onikan stadium, Lagos.

According to information made available by the tournament manager, Fasimoye Olatunji, this decision was made after majority of the foreign teams complained about the original date stressing that traveling immediately after the tournament may not be good enough.

Cowrie RFC, winners 2014 Independence 7s

Accra Sharks from Ghana, Western Province of South Africa, Parakou RFC of Republic of Benin, UR7s of Kenya, Panthers International and Merlins Invitational both from the UK are all expected to arrive on Thursday 22nd with all visas related issues already sorted out.

Last year’s winner, Cowrie RFC will lead clubs like Barewa RFC, Kaduna RFC, Sabon Geri RFC, Jos RFC, Racing RFC, Police Machines, Gosar RFC, South South 7s and South East 7s to repel foreign invasion in their quest to retain the title in Nigeria.

16 TEAMS FOR NIGERIA INDEPENDENCE RUGBY SEVENS INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENT

Sixteen teams are set to feature in the seventh edition of the Independence Rugby 7s International Tournament at The Onikan Stadium Lagos, Nigeria on the 24th and 25th of October 2015 .

Participating teams are from within and outside Nigeria and Thelo Wakefield; the President of WP Rugby Union will also make an appearance.

Defending champions Cowrie RFC and 2014 runners up; Barewa RFC make a comeback to the tournament that also features Western Province from South Africa, Ultimate Rugby 7s (Kenya), Panthers Internationals and Merlins Invitational from the UK.

Other teams are; The Police Machines RFC, Plateau Tigers RFC, Kaduna RFC, Racing RFC, Accra Sharks from Ghana, Parakou RFC from Benin Republic, Gosar RFC, SabonGeri RFC, South-South 7s and South East 7s.

Cowrie RFC, Winners of 2014 Independence 7’s

“The Independence Rugby Sevens International Tournament is organized by Friends of Rugby, and It was started in 2009 it is held annually to commemorate Nigeria’s independence anniversary. Asides the commemoration of Nigeria’s Independence, the tournament will also afford National team players an opportunity to use the tournament to prepare for the Olympic qualifiers set for November in South Africa where the Black Stallions of Nigeria are pooled alongside Zimbabwe who emerged fourth at the end of the recently concluded Safari 7s, Uganda and Zambia.

SOUTHWEST RUGBY LEAGUE TO HOLD ANTI DOPING SEMINAR

Sequel to the announcement by the organisers of the South-West league scheduled for 25th April 2015, as the commencement date for the 2nd phase of the South West league, the Friends of Rugby hereby announce a press briefing and anti doping seminar which will be held at the Media Centre situated inside the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos on Thursday 23rd of April 2015.

The chairman of Friends of Rugby; Mr Kelechukwu Mbagwu the Managing Director of CMB Building Maintenance & Investment Co. Ltd sponsors of the southwest rugby league, made the announcement today to herald the commencement of the 2nd phase of the league.

The anti doping seminar will come up immediately after the press briefing and will be conducted by Doctor Bukola Bojuwoye a renowned sports medicine practitioner who has had stints with the U-23 male National team, the Falconets and also the Falcons at different times over the years.

Southwest Rugby League

The seminar is mandatory for team coaches and captains of all participating teams in the South West League; According to Dr. Bojuwoye, the seminar will focus on anti-doping in Rugby and how athletes can be on top of their game without the influence of drug.

The President of the Nigeria Rugby Football Federation, Sir Edward Fom Pam commended the efforts of the organizers of the league and charged other regions to emulate the sponsors of the South Western League for educating players on the negative impact of drugs in sports and latest rules of the gentleman’s game

South-West Rugby Union League Ready To Resume April 25th

Southwest Rugby League

Organizers of the South-West league; Friends of Rugby held a meeting last weekend to review the phase of the league and they have announced 25th of April as the resumption date of the second phase of the league.

The resumption of South-West rugby league is a great way to end April and it promises to be a fascinating opening weekend with second placed team on the log; Racing RFC facing off with the oldest club in Lagos, Lagos RFC. Spectators will witness a local derby between Gosar RFC and EcoII RFC with both teams based in Ajegunle. Defending champions and league leaders Cowrie RFC are billed to face Hawksters Athlethics RFC although the match may not hold as Hawksters Athletics is yet to appeal the sanction placed on them by the NRFF since October 2014. The last match of the opening day will be between Police RFC and Ilorin based Royal Stallion RFC.

The chairman of Friends of Rugby; Mr Kelechukwu Mbagwu announced at the meeting that a Preparatory/Enablement fee from league sponsors; CMB Building Maintenance & Investment Co. Ltd will go to all participating teams. Mr Mbagwu also congratulated the Northern League organizers for a job well done on the completion of their 2014 League Season.

An anti doping seminar will be held at the press conference before the start of the League to be handled by Doctor Bukola Bojuwoye with all team coaches and captains mandated to attend.

SOUTH AFRICAN RUGBY TALISMAN FABIAN JURIES TO ATTEND THE INDEPENDENCE RUGBY 7’S IN LAGOS

Ex-Springbok 7’s talisman ‘’Fabian Juries’ will arrive Lagos on the 30st October 2014 for the Independence 7’s in Lagos in a bid to promote the game of rugby in Nigeria, the Ex-Springbok speed star is IRB Sevens highest try scorer in South Africa and 13th in the world.

He is expected to help with officiating in the tournament and prepare the Nigerian national team the ‘Black Stallions’ for the African Sevens Championship in Zimbabwe in November 2014.

Mr Kelechukwu Mbagwu CEO CMB Building who also doubles as also the chairman of Friends of rugby, a major supporter and sponsor of independence rugby sevens from its inception in 2009 Said: “We are glad that one of the top rugby sevens player in the world will be in Nigeria to support the development of the sport and the tournament, his presence will also help motivate the home based players, he further reported that preparations is ongoing to ensure we have a great tournament, and also to ensure we further harness the opportunities embedded therein”.

Fabian Juries, photo sport24.co.za

Nigeria has a population of over 150 million; we are also naturally built for Rugby. If properly harnessed, Rugby can become our number one sport in the country”. The real estate veteran who is an ex rugby player further stressed that the game of rugby is the greatest team sport ever, it teaches discipline, respect and he expects the game to spread fast into all schools in the country.

This year’s Independence 7’s will be held at the Onikan Stadium, Onikan, Lagos on the 31st of October and 1st of November 2014.

Independence 7’s: Hawster Athletics, Racing RFC And Gosar RFC Grab Playoffs Spot

Hawster Athletics, Racing RFC and Gosar RFC booked a place at the fast approaching Independence 7’s tournament alongside last year’s champion Police Machine of Lagos and runner up, Cowrie Rugby Football club who were handed an automatic ticket for the rugby fiesta scheduled for 10th and 11th of October 2014 which promises to be bigger and better with eleven local team and five international teams expected to battle for the trophy, at the Onikan stadium.

Independence 7’s: Hawster Athletics, Racing RFC And Gosar RFC Grab Playoffs Spot

Hawster Athletics and Racing RFC were the first to qualify from the playoffs but still had to battle for supremacy in the final of the playoffs with Hawster crowned the play-off king after a very entertaining and mind blowing match characterized by unprecedented display of pure adrenaline

The aged but experienced Racing RFC could not withstand the youthfulness of Hawster Athletic who tore into them several times with their lightening and blazing speed with the final scores at 14 -10 making it the first time Hawster Athletic recorded a win over Racing RFC.

After a round robin game by six teams divided into 2 groups decided on Sunday 24th 2014 at the Main bowl of the National Stadium, Surulere, Royal Stallions of Ilorin lost their slot in this year’s tournament losing 17-12 to Gosar RFC in the third place match of the playoffs with Gosar RFC which is the most improved club in southwest league giving a good account of themselves.

Speaking after their qualification, the head Coach of Gosar RFC, Gbenga Hammed said
, it was a great honor and achivement to book a place in the most prestigeous sevens tournament in West Africa.

Independence 7’s: Hawster Athletics, Racing RFC And Gosar RFC Grab Playoffs Spot

The former Nigerian international and Captain of the Black Stallions emphasized that his team will immediately hit the gym in their preparation for the 2 day rugby fest as they are determined to win a silverware at this year’s tournament.

Meanwhile, Northern clubs will also battle to claim three slots allocated to the region while South South, South East region and the Capital territory clubs will play for a slot each in the event.

Speaking with journalists after the play-offs, the Technical Director of the Nigeria Rugby Football Federation, Fasimoye Olatunji commended all participating teams for their high level of discipline and expressed satisfaction over the standard and performance of the southwest teams while predicting that the trophy is likely to be retained in the zone considering the standard of the matches he witnessed during the playoffs

Judgement Day: As Teams Battle For Limited Independence Rugby 7’s ’ Slot

As the organisers of this year’s independence Rugby 7’s tournament sponsored by CMB Building Maintenance and Investment Co. Ltd have announced Sunday, 24th of August 2014 as the judgment day for teams that are going to participate in the annual rugby event staged to commemorate Nigeria’s Independence anniversary since 2009.

According to the Organisers, the Southwest region has been allotted 5 team slots in which 2013 finalists, Police Machines and Cowrie RFC have been awarded automatic spots at this year’s tournament while the remaining three playoff spots will be contested for between six other teams namely; Lagos RFC, Racing RFC, Gosar RFC, Hawkster Athletic, Eco II and Royal Stallions of Ilorin.

The Play-offs for this Spots will will be held at the main bowl of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos where the pretenders will be separated from contenders.

The playoff became necessary a due to expression of Interests from European, South African and West African teams which will increase this year’s international representation to a level never before witnessed before in the country.

The Friends of Rugby organised event has grown to be the biggest Rugby 7s party in Nigeria with the 2013 edition enjoying a better and wider participation with clubs from the UK, Egypt and Ghana adding the much needed International flavour.

However, clubs from every zone in Nigeria performed extremely well and this culminated in two local teams making into last year’s final which the Police Rugby Football club of Lagos won by beating Cowrie RFC 12-7.

According to the organisers, this year’s edition promises to be bigger and better with eleven local team and five international teams expected to battle for the trophy, at the Onikan stadium between the 10th and 11th of October 2014

Northern clubs will also battle to claim three slots allocated to the region while South South, South East region and the Capital territory clubs will play for a slot each in the event

Women Rugby Impresses Fans, As Southwest League First Phase Comes To An End

Rugby has always been regarded as a man’s game. But women are making their presence felt not just as spectators but as participants too. The side attraction clash between Police select and Lagos select During Saturday’s League match day was no doubt the main attraction at the National stadium’s main bowl, Lagos.

Funmilayo Aladeyelu is being tackled by an opponent during the women select match on saturday

The first league match of the day saw Police Machines cross the line seven times to win 35-0 despite first half resistance from Lagos RFC. Police no 8; Adebambo Remilekun opened the scoring before Captain Ramon Bakare and a host of others made their markers.

Meanwhile, Hawkster Athletics full back; Stephen James inspired his team to a 71 -0 win against Eko II.

Hawksters players enjoyed themselves against EcoII on Saturday afternoon with an impressive performance from Solomon Cockeye and young fly half, Nelson Sunday.

Young fly half Nelson Sunday impressed as his team beats Eco II on Saturday

In other games, Royal Stallions RFC of Ilorin lost 0-15 to Racing RFC and the last match of the day between Cowrie RFC and hard fighting Gosar RFC would not be easily forgotten. Gosar’s young center; Sodiq Akanni drew the first blood with his boots in the 36th minute, Cowrie scored their first try right on the clock through winger Christian Ogar to keep the score at 5-3 before the break.

Police RFC vs Lagos RFC

Cowrie’s resilience in the second half ensured victory for the league leaders with tries from new winger; Onor Jato, Frank Adedeji and Hafis Ayinla. the match ended 24-3 points in favour of Cowrie RFC.

Southwest League First Phase Comes To An End:

Southwest Rugby League

The first phase of Southwest League has ended. Cowrie RFC still maintainS its position at the top of the Table with 35 points, Racing RFC are second with 25 and are being trailed closely by Police RFC with 24 points.

Eco II RFC still sits at the bottom of the log with no point.

The Technical Director of the NRFF Olatunji Fasimoye expressed his satisfaction over the CMB Building Maintenance and Investment Co Ltd sponsored league, he emphasized that the league across the regions will help the development and awareness of the sports in the country; he also commended the administrators of the league Friends of Rugby and the sponsors CMB Building Maintenance and Investment Co Ltd a leading real estate firm in the country for their support towards Rugby development in Nigeria.

Racing Fly half

South-West League: Friends Of Rugby Commends CMB Building Maintenance And Investment Co Ltd.

South-West League: Friends Of Rugby Commends CMB Building Maintenance And Investment Co Ltd.

As the first phase of South West League comes to an end on Saturday 16th of August, The league administrators, “Friends of Rugby” commends CMB Building Maintenance and Investment Co Ltd for its continual support towards the development of rugby in Nigeria.

CMB Building Maintenance and Investment Co Ltd, a leading real estate firm has been behind the promotion and sponsorship of rugby in Nigeria for over ten years.

They have helped clubs grow, supported female rugby and grassroots development.

According to the president of NRFF; Sir Edward Fom CMB’s sponsorship is essential and provides opportunities for teams to participate in all three regional leagues in the country.

They also work closely with the NRFF in supporting our National team “The Black Stallions”.

NIGERIA’S NATIONAL RUGBY TEAM-THE BLACK STALLIONS

The last games of the first phase of the South West League matches will hold at the main bowl of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, on Saturday 16th August 2014.

Lagos RFC will take on The Police Machine in the first game; Racing RFC who disposed Police Machines to claim second spot on the league table will play against Royal Stallions of Ilorin in a bid to retain their spot.

The whooping boys, Eco II RFC will pitch up against Hawkster Athletics while the defending champions Cowrie RFC will defend their 7 years 15s unbeaten run in West Africa against the most improved side in the league Gosar RFC in the last game of the day.

Cowrie RFC still maintains its position at the top of the Table with 30 points; they are being trailed by Racing RFC who defeated Police Machine to claim the spot by 21 points; Eco II RFC sits at the bottom of the log with no point.

Northern League

Zaria RFC Remains Unbeaten After 4 Games

AS the northern league progresses to week four, two games were played last weekend , Zaria RFC registered a home win against Kaduna RFC by 21 to 7 points, Barewa RFC also defeated Kano RFC by 53 to 3 points while the game between Sabongari RFC and Jos RFC was postponed due to security reasons.

Considering the fact that Jos RFC and Sabongari RFC have two outstanding matches each while Kaduna RFC and Kano RFC have one outstanding match each. Zaria RFC remains at the top of the table after four games with 18 points; they are being trailed by Barewa RFC who have also played
four games with 15 points while Kano RFC sit at the bottom of the table after three games with no points.

Friends of Rugby Kicks off plans for the 2014 Independence 7’s Invitational Tournament

Exciting action, delicious meals, great crowds, that’s what best describes the Independence Rugby 7s tournament which is held annually to commemorate Nigeria’s Independence anniversary.

The tournament will be staged this year at the Onikan stadium on the 10th and 11th of October 2014.

The two day tournament which started in the year 2009 has since grown to be the biggest Rugby 7s party in West Africa.

Its 2013 edition had a wider International participation with clubs from the UK, Egypt and Ghana adding the much needed International flavour.

However, clubs from every zone in Nigeria competed extremely well and we witnessed two local teams in last year’s final (Cowrie RFC Lagos vs Nigeria Police RFC).

The Police team beat Cowrie RFC 12-7 to emerge 2013 champions.

The 2014 edition promises to be bigger and better, eleven local teams and five international teams will battle for this year’s trophy,

Nigeria Rugby Football Federation