World Rugby has made history by launching the .rugby internet domain name, kicking-off a digital revolution that will deliver multiple promotional benefits to the global rugby community. World Rugby’s website has become http://www.world.rugby and all of the international federation’s digital properties, including email addresses, are being seamlessly transitioned as part of a phased major digital […]
In accordance with directive of the organisers of the prestigious Nigerian Sports Awards, the Nigeria Rugby Football Federation has called on all sports loving Nigerians and sports enthusiasts to nominate the federation as the Ball Sport of the year and also Administrator of the year for 2014/2015.
According to the President of the Federation ‘Sir Fom Edward Pam’ being nominated and winning the 2015 award will be “an icing on an already sweet and creamy cake” considering the lofty achievements recorded by the federation despite the poor level of support from the National Sports Commission and the Ministry of Sports.
It would be recalled that in 2014, the federation under Sir Edward Fom Pam mobilized and masterminded the Nigeria’s Rugby senior national team qualification for the Commonwealth games in Glasgow, Scotland.
Despite the heartbreak from the Nigerian Olympics Committee and then Director General of the National Sports Commission, Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye who decided that Rugby was not going to be represented at the fiesta, they were undeterred as they rallied back from this heartbreak to travel to Togo for the All African games and pre-Olympics qualifiers where they booked their tickets to these events with little or no support from government.
The NRFF is one of the few federations in the country with a regular league season which is divided into 4 regions for easier administrative purposes; The NRFF is also focused on grassroot development thereby giving home based players the opportunity to excel in the sport.
The Nigeria Rugby Football Federation as also engaged the service of a foreign coach (Fabian Juries) and this as boosted the growth of Rugby. The fast pace of the sport is manifest in Nigeria’s rating and ranking by World Rugby (the international ruling body) The NRFF also possesses a technical department that is fully automated and is equipped with a second to none Data base, the federation in conjunction with Rugby Africa (the continental ruling body) organized a weeklong training for coaches and referees in Nigeria while grassroots programs have also been initiated in schools in their quest to take the sport to the nooks and crannies of the country.
To nominate NRFF as the Ball Sport of the year and Administrator of the year in Nigeria for 2014/2015 calendar year, log on to http://nigeriansportsaward.com/nominations
Few days after organisers of the 50th edition of the All Africa games decided to yank off Rugby from the games, Multisport Team wear brand Samurai Sportswear has unveiled an exciting new partnership package with the Nigeria Rugby Foorball Federation.
According to the deal, the global sport brand will act as the official kit supplier to the Nigeria 7s team for the next one year subject to extension.
This is coming as a big boost for the Black Stallions who are currently in contention for the 2016 Olympic Games qualifications.
According to the deal signed with the NRFF, the eye catching jerseys will be worn during the Africa 7s Tournament in Johannesburg, South Africa in November which doubles as qualifiers for the Olympic Games in Rio next year.
According to Samurai sportswear, the shirt design will draw heavy inspiration from the Nigerian flag.
Speaking during the official signing, a delighted vice president of the federation, Fasimoye Olatunji, said this came as a relief after the recent AAG disappointment and an indication that the recent milestones being recorded by the sport in Nigeria is not going unnoticed.
Black Stallion 7s players will be wearing Samurai’s advanced Iconix™ shirts Engineered exclusively by Samurai to provide elite athletes with the ultimate sports garment. The unique Iconix™ fabric sculpts the body increasing circulation to improve muscle recovery. It’s high modulus extension works in harmony with the body to enhance dynamic movements with a muscle defining fit.
The Performex™ fabric has superb moisture management and breathability functions to keep the body cool and dry through channeling sweat away.
The Africa Cup 1C Rugby tournament came to an end on Saturday in Gaborone, Botswana, with a bang as the Black Stallions took third position on the Log despite suffering a “heavy” defeat at the hands of Impala Rustenburg of South Africa.
Playing in the opening game of the final day of the tournament the Black Stallions lost 86-10 to Impala Rustenburg of South Africa.
Nigeria scored first from set play which allowed Christian Ogar race away for a try within 5 minutes.
The South African Cell C cup champions, Impala dominated the game afterwards. The game was a good experience for Black Stallions, “we gave them the toughest game of their tournament|” said Nigeria’s Azeez Ladipo.
Meanwhile, Mauritius whitewashed Swaziland in the second game 134-0 while Zambia lost to Botswana 14-66.
POSITIVES
Three Nigerian players were rewarded for their respective “man of the match” performance in all three matches. The trio of Christian Ogar against Zambia, Azeez Ladipo against Swaziland and Isaac Sani against Impala received their awards and commendation at the Tournaments closing Gala on Saturday night.
This is the first outing for the home based boys in the African Cup 1C division and it is a great exposure for them, it is believed that this experience will have a positive impact on the NRFF’s grassroots developmental plan.
Final Standings:
1. Impala Rustenburg (Not Valid)
2. Mauritius (1st)
3. Botswana (2nd)
4. Nigeria (3rd)
5. Zambia (4th)
6. Swaziland (relegated)
Mauritius has progressed to Africa Cup 1B. We will go back and improve on our preparations for subsequent tournaments.
Nigeria scored nine times as a number of players laid impressive markers in a 61-10 victory over Swaziland in Gaborone, Botswana on Wednesday.
Back line; Christian Ogar, Azeez Ladipo, Yusuf Oyeyemi, Oladipo Olawale, Samson Yahaya and Dozie Dinobi all raced home, while the efforts of forwards; Azeez Olanrewaju, Emmanuel Godwin, Hafis Ayinla and Abubakar Yakubu will not have gone unnoticed as Nigeria claimed their first victory at the on-going Africa Rugby Cup 1C.
The Black Stallions battled a highly spirited Swaziland team at the UBC Stadium.
Christian Ogar opened scoring with a well worked try which saw and over 10 passes made before he touched down for a try.
Azeez Ladipo converted 8 out of 9 tries and also got a try for himself. Swaziland later scored one try which was well converted.
Meanwhile Mauritius beat Zambia 54-17 in the second game of the day while Impala Rustenburg from South Africa whitewashed host Botswana 54-9 to end a day of fantastic rugby.
Nigeria will now meet the South Africa’s Cell C community cup champions Impala Rustenburg who replaced Morocco in their last game on Saturday.
At the completion of all the matches, the Teams are ranked one through six based on their cumulative Match points, and identified respectively as winner, runner-up, third, fourth, five and six
After match day 1 in the African Cup 1C, in Gaborone, Botswana, the Black Stallions of Nigeria lost to Zambia by 20-30. The game which was tagged the match of the day by commentators and rugby fans saw the Black Stallion forwards impose themselves on the Zambians but the back line could not contain them.
The Zambians drew first blood in the early stage of the game with two tries, the black stallions found their rhythm and retaliated with two tries by Christian Ogar and Fasimoye olatunji.
Nigeria fly half, Azeez Ladipo traded penalties with the Zambian fly half to keep the game level 13-13 at half time.
The Zambians dominated early in the second half of the game trenching the Back Stallions back line which paid off with a try.
Azeez ladipo launched an attack by setting up Samson Yahaya for another try to draw level at 20-20. The Zambians nicked it in the final third with 2 late tries to end the game at 30-20.
Other games saw Impala defeat Mauritius. 67 – 17 and Bostwana demolished Swaziland 87 – 0.
Speaking after the game Fasimoye olatunji said that “It was not a bad game for a new team, and that the players are now determined to go on to do well in subsequent games.
The Black Stallions will now take on Swaziland on Wednesday 18th June 2014 in their second game of the African Rugby Cup IC.
NRFF technical team names a predominant home-based 22-man squad to hit closed camp ahead of the Africa Cup 1c Rugby Tournament to be held in Gaborone, Botswana where Nigeria’s “Black Stallions” will compete with Botswana, Morrocco, Zambia, Mauritius and Swaziland from the 13th– 22nd of June 2013. NRFF Technical Director, Fasimoye Olatunji insists that the “Black Stallions” will be motivated and believes the boys can go ahead to win the tournament in front of a tough crowd in Gaborone. “We have carefully selected our best hands based on merit. These players have proven themselves in the on-going South-West and Northern leagues and are fit enough for the task ahead.
The 2014 Africa Cup will be the fourteenth edition of the Africa Cup, an annual international rugby union tournament for African nations organised by the Confederation of African Rugby (CAR). This tournament, as well as the 2012 and 2013 editions of it, will serve as the qualifiers for the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
FULL TEAM LIST NRFF
1 BASSEY SUNDAY COWRIE RFC, Lagos
2 SAMUEL OLATUNDE JOSEPH ROYAL STALLION RFC, Ilorin
3 MUSA IBRAHIM SUAIBU KADUNA RFC, Kaduna
4 OGBOLE FELIX GABRIEL KADUNA RFC, Kaduna
5 ALAETO OBINNA FESTUS COWRIE RFC, Lagos
6 SOLOMON FRIDAY ZARIA RFC, Kaduna
7 SANI ISAAC COWRIE RFC, Lagos
8 OLANREWAJU AZEEZ ABIODUN NIGERIA POLICE RFC
9 YAKUBU ABUBAKAR SABONGERI RFC, Kaduna
10 GODWIN EMMANUEL CHIBUNDU SABONGERI RFC, Kaduna
11 AYINLA HAFIS ADEDAMOLA COWRIE RFC, Lagos
12 ZARIA ISA A DRC PHOENIX, Gronegen, Holland
13 BAKARE RAMON ISHOLA NIGERIA POLICE RFC
14 PETER OKERE AMBROSE JOS RFC
15 LADIPO AZEEZ OLAITAN COWRIE RFC, Lagos
16 SAMSON YAHAYA DIDAM NIGERIA POLICE RFC
17 OYEYEMI YUSUF BOLATUNJI COWRIE RFC, Lagos
18 DINOBI CHIEDOZIE NZUBECHUKWUKA COBHAM RUGBY CLUB, UK
19 OGAR CHRISTIAN INNOCENT COWRIE RFC, Lagos
20 ENAJEROH ESEOGHENE WARRI RFC, Delta
21 OLAWALE OLADIPO MICHAEL COWRIE RFC, Lagos
22 OYEBOLA SULYMAN OLAWALE NIGERIA POLICE RFC
Zaria RFC tops Northern Rugby Union League Table
As the Northern League kicked off on the 17th of May 2014 Zaria RFC are already topping the League table with 4 points, teams participating in these league include Jos RFC, Zaria RFC, Sabon Gari RFC, Barewa RFC, Kano RFC and Kaduna RFC,
After the week one games, Zaria RFC secured a victory at home winning Sabon Gari RFC by 13 pionts to 3, Jos RFC lost at home to Barewa RFC by 7 point to 0 while the match between Kanu RFC and the defending champions Kaduna RFC was postponed due to the restriction of movement in Kano state following the recent insurgent in the state.
The Northern League is the oldest league amongst the Nigeria Rugby Football Union Leagues, the next league games are schedule to hold on the 24th May 2014, Kaduna RFC will be hosting Sabon Gari RFC, Jos RFC will host Kano RFC and Zaria RFC will host Barewa RFC.
Training in Burkina Faso
Another very busy month for this project with 23 registered unions to date amongst which 22 have seen their planning approved by CAR and have started their projects or are on the verge of doing so in the next few weeks.
The first step is a 3 day training course delivered to the unions by the CAR development officers. The next thing is to introduce rugby to a maximum of boys and girls, to let them practice and stay with rugby by providing opportunities to learn further in clubs.
In April, Henry Kemp – project manager and national technical director in Namibia – organised a big training session with the intention of reaching out to 50 schools and 8000 participants in 2014 compared to 8 shcools and 4450 participants in 2013.
Training in Namibia
Another 3 day training course happened in Burkina Faso facilitated by Charles Yapo CAR RDO Western Africa. And again in South Africa with project manager Steph Nel.
On the field, games and sessions have been organized in Tunis, Tunisia and in Madina, Ghana following training courses delivered by Mohamed Dermouni – CAR Development Officer.
Play phase in Ghana
Play phase in Tunisia.
Africa Cup 1A tournament in Madagascar (26 June – 6 July)
The last qualifying round for the 2015 Rugby World Cup in England is getting near and the preparations are under way .
In addition to the flights, team accommodation has been arranged as well as all the medical and security logistics. The IRB has also appointed the referees. On the 28th of June, 2nd of July and 6th of July, Lourens van der Merwe – South Africa – Luke Pearce – England – Achi Pastrana – Argentina will ref the games in Mahamasina stadium. Assistant referees Rodney Bonaparte and Stefan Breytenbach from South Africa will also be present.
As far as disciplinary matters are concerned, Said Chikhaoui from Morocco has been appointed judicial officer and Nacer Bougja also from Morocco will be citing commissioner.
The Nigeria Rugby Football Federation’s Technical Director, Fasimoye Olatunji has announced dates for the National Team’s close camp on the 28th of May 2014 in Abuja . The close camp will feature players selected from the South-West League trials and the Northern trials which was held on the 3rd of May with over 250 players in attendance and selection was also done at the PRESIDENT VS THE REST 15’S trials held in Kaduna.
The National Team will be involved at the upcoming AFRICA CUP 1C tournament to be held in Garborone, Botswana. Nigeria will compete alongside Botswana, Morocco, Zambia, Mauritius and Swaziland. Nigeria’s “Black Stallions” will be promoted to a higher Division; CUP 1B if they emerge tournament winners. This will take us closer to the likes of Kenya, Namibia and Zimbabwe who are in CUP 1A.
NOC/IOC Solidarity Coaching Course
The Nigeria Rugby Football Federation just concluded a Level 1 coaching course for nineteen coaches, the event which was staged in Oshogbo, Osun State was organized by the Nigeria Olympic Committee/ International Olympic Committee as a solidarity and developmental strategy for Olympic sports.
It was facilitated by Bright Chivandire a technical representative of IRB from Zimbabwe, the training lasted for five days with nineteen coaches in attendance.
Tthe Secretary General Of NOC Mr Tunde Popoola, The Director of Sports, Osun State and the vice president of NRFF who also doubles as the Technical Director Mr Fasimoye Olatunji all graced the occasion.
The programme will help boost the game and technical knowledge of the coaches resulting to players development.
SOUTH WEST RUGBY UNION LEAGUE WEEK 4
The South west Rugby League Week 4 will resume on Today 17th May 2014 at the main bowl of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.
Royal Stallions RFC from Ilorin will take on Gosar RFC in the first game; Eco II RFC will play Police RFC in the second game. Racing RFC will play Hawkster Athletes RFC in the third game while the last game of the day will see Lagos RFC take on Cowrie RFC.
Cowrie RFC sits on top of the league table with 15 points, Racing RFC with 13 points are in second place while Eco II sits at the bottom of the table with no point.
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