South West Rugby League Resumes This Weekend

Nigeria Rugby Football Federation vice-president, Olatunji Fasimoye has stated that the body in conjunction with ‘Friends of Rugby’ have put in place the necessary modalities for a smooth take off of the second-round phase of the South-West League kicking off this weekend inside the main bowl of the National Stadium Lagos.

Speaking during the media chat held at the media centre of the National stadium, Fasimoye assured all clubs of fairness and new innovations in the second half of the season as he revealed that all grievances and complaints have been reviewed with a view to improving the standard of the league.

Christain Ogar of Cowrie Rugby Club in Action

Fasimoye who stood in for the President, Sir Edward Fom Pam stated that all the south-west rugby clubs including Royal Stallions of Ilorin have all indicated their readiness to continue in their quest to upstage Cowrie RFC from the top spot.

In the interactive session, Fasimoye outlined the games schedules of the upcoming league stanza with each team expected to play seven more matches as he urged the participating clubs to be disciplined and abide by the rules governing the fast rising sport in Nigeria.

He complained to sports writers that sponsorship has not been forthcoming despite numerous letters, proposals and meetings held with individuals and corporate organizations as he thanked ‘CMB Building Maintenance and Investment Company limited’ for the progress recorded so far.

Steven of Royal Stallions Ilorin beats a defender

8 teams are expected to storm the mainbowl on Saturday with Cowrie Rugby Club leading the pack with 35 points.

Other teams include Police Rugby Club, Royal Stallions, Racing RFC, Eko II, Gosah RFC Hawkster Athletics and Lagos RFC.

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.

NRFF Appeals For Understanding As Regional Leagues Commence After General Elections

The Vice President of the Nigerian Rugby Football Federation, Olatunji Fasimoye has appealed to all lovers of the game, club owners and players to exercise more patience with the organizers of the leagues over the recent postponement of the commencement of the second phase of the regional leagues.

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

He attributed the last minute decision by the leagues’ organizing committee to the postponement of the election date from February 14th to March 28th 2015.

Speaking With newsmen yesterday in Lagos, the former Nigerian Rugby international explained that “the 2nd phase of the leagues was supposed to kick off February 28th 2015 but to our surprise, the election was postponed and this as affected a lot of things”

He said although a new date has not been fixed, but “immediately after the election, the leagues will kick off”

Steven of Royal Stallions Ilorin beats a defender

Cowrie RFC are currently occupying the driving seat in the South West league with 35 points from seven matches and followed by Racing RFC with 25 points from the same number of matches.

In the Northern league, Barewa RFC is on top of the table with 19 points while the South-South/South-East league is being led by Buffalo RFC of Abia with 6 points

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.

NRFF Lauds Inaugural South-South/East Rugby Union League..,As Cowrie Go 6 Points Clear Of South-West League

NIGERIA RUGBY FOOTBALL UPDATE

NRFF lauds the Inaugural South-South/East Rugby Union League:

NRFF Technical Director, Olatunji Fasimoye has lauded the efforts of Friends of Rugby and the New Board in ensuring the spread of the sport throughout the country as the Inaugural South-South/South East League kicked off with four teams vying for the championship.

The first ever league game in South-South/Eastern Nigeria took place at Michael Okpara University Stadium in Umahia between Bufalo RFC from Abia and Imo Wild Cats RFC from Owerri.

Both sides performed well but it was the Wild Cats who edged an end to end encounter against the home team 15-10. Delta RFC will hit the road to play against Edo RFC in the next fixture.

Imo Wild Cats currently sit on the Log with 4 points.

Southwest Rugby League

South-West League: Cowrie beats Racing in league thriller…,

South-West Rugby Union League resumed over the weekend following a 2 month break. Cowrie Rugby Club enjoyed themselves on Saturday afternoon despite a spirited performance from Racing Rugby Club running in four tries on their way to a 26 – 8 victory.

The first match of the day saw Hawkster Athletics RFC hang on for a hard fought 5-0 win over Lagos Rugby Club.

Hawksters produced one of their most riveting performances of the season to earn their win by the narrowest of margins.

In other games, the strength of Royal Stallions Rugby Club was too much for Eco II Rugby Club as the Ilorin boys ran 50-3 riot over Eco II.

Police Machines out-muscled a predominantly young and determined Gosar Rugby Club 19-3 in the last match of the day.

Cowrie are now 6 points clear at the top of the log with 25 points, followed by Police Machines with 19 points and Racing Rugby with 17 points. Hawksters Athletics moved up to fifth with 10 points while Eco II is still at the bottom with no points.

Northern League: Zaria Rugby proving its relevance!

After 3 rounds of matches at the oldest Rugby Union league in the country, it’s tight at the top, with only 3 points separating the top two.

However, Zaria RFC are unbeaten so far with three wins out of three. They sit at the top of the log with 13 points followed closely by Barewa RFC with 10 points.

Kano RFC is at the bottom of the log with no points. The Northern league is the oldest and most consistent in Nigeria and it is highly competitive.

South-West League Resumes, As Get Into Rugby Programme Kicks Off Skeletal Operations In Nigeria

After a long break, the Southwest league resumes on the 19th of July 2014, the break was due to the involvement of home based players’ in Black Stallion’s participation at the Africa Cup 1C in Gaborone, Botswana.

The National stadium’s main bowl will host four games on Saturday,19th of July with Hawksters RFC facing their harsh rivals Lagos RFC in the first match of the day, Racing RFC will take on defending champions, Cowrie RFC in a must watch game.

Eco II RFC will play against Royal Stallions of Ilorin while Gosar RFC will take on Police Machines in the last match of the day.

Cowrie RFC still retains their slots at the top of the table with 20 point and trailed by Racing RFC by 17 points while ECO II RFC sits at the bottom of the table with 0 point.

SOUTHWEST RUGBY LEAGUE FIXTURES:

Hawksters RFC VS Lagos RFC

Racing RFC VS Cowrie RFC

Eco II RFC VS Royal Stallions

Gosar RFC VS Police Machines

We call on all rugby fan and lovers to come out to the National Stadium and support their teams.

IRB – Get Into Rugby

Get Into Rugby Programme:

Get into Rugby Programme kicks off skeletal operations in Nigeria, Trained GIR Coaches have been sent to schools to administer the program, the program is a central part of the IRB initiative to grow the sport as we rejoin the Olympic Games in Rio 2016.

The aim of the programme is to encourage Children to TRY – PLAY – STAY in Rugby, with a target of recruiting and retaining new players and coaches and referees over the next four years.

The programme will promote the values of the game and ensure children are encouraged to try rugby in safe and progressive way.

We are calling on potential sponsors to partner with us in order to establish the programme fully in Nigeria, already we have over 75 schools registered with this programme nationwide.

NIGERIA RUGBY FOOTBALL FEDERATION PREPARES FOR 1C RUGBY TOURNAMENT IN BOTSWANA

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.

SOUTH WEST RUGBY LEAGUE KICKS OFF 5th of April

Official club rugby makes a long overdue return to Lagos at the National Stadium, Surulere, on the 5th of April 2014 as the South West Rugby League kicks off the regional leagues as announced by the Nigerian Rugby Football Federation (NRFF).

The regional league includes the South West League, Northern League and South South League. These leagues will run concurrently this year and the winner of each regional league will contest in the Super League for the title of the 2014 best team in the country. The Northern League is comprised of seven teams, while the South West and South South/ East League comprise eight and four teams respectfully.

Eight clubs will contest the South West league over two rounds during a twenty four week season with all matches being played at the National Stadium. Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Mr. Tunji Fasimoye, the Vice President and Technical Director of the NRFF, said it was important for the growth of rugby for players to get regular competition and opportunities to show their skills ahead of the international season.

“Nigerian rugby players around the country have been starved of regular competition and it is the NRFF’s intention that the leagues will provide players with the chance to play and put their hands up for selection to the national team ahead of the Confederation Of Africa Cup Group C tournament in Botswana in June,” Mr Fasimoye said.

The Vice President thanked CMB Building Maintenance and Investment Company for their drive towards the development of Rugby in Nigeria and their support in sponsoring the 2014 Regional Leagues. He also thanked the media for their growing support for rugby and acknowledged their role in rugby’s development.

The Chairman of the Friends of Rugby FOR (Mr Kelechuckwu Mbagwu) said the South West League, matches will be played every second Saturday with the first match of the day beginning at 10:30am and the last game ending at 6 pm. A lunch time interval, between the first two games and the last two games of the day, will provide opportunities for schools, women and social rugby games to share the platform and build a rugby culture in the country.

League points will be awarded on the basis of 4 points for a win, 2 points for a draw and 1 point for losing by 7 points or less. In keeping with international trends to encourage attacking rugby 1 bonus point will be awarded for scoring four tries or more in a game.

The draws for the South West League was conducted in the presence of the clubs and their captains.

“The media have a crucial role to play in growing and developing rugby. We count on you to help spread the word among boys and girls as little is known about the game. There are a lot of young boys and girls who would like to play the game and your reports on the matches and the leagues will help grow a fan base for clubs and the national teams,” he said.

Teams competing in the three regional leagues announced by the NRFF are:

SOUTH WEST LEAGUE:

1. Cowrie RFC
2. Police RFC
3. Lagos RFC
4. Hawckstar Athletics RFC
5. Racing RFC
6. Eco II RFC
7. Gosar RFC
8. Royal Stallion

NORTHERN LEAGUE:

1. Kano RFC
2. Kaduna RFC
3. Zaria RFC
4. Sabon Gari RFC
5. Jos RFC
6. Kano RFC
7. Barewa RFC

SOUTH SOUTH/EAST LEAGUE

1. Abia RFC
2. Imo RFC
3. Delta RFC
4. Edo RFC