CAPE TOWN, South Africa, December 2, 2020/ -- Rugby Africa (RugbyAfrique.com)
is elated to
announce it will be granting EUR 276,490 for the
successful and safe preparations for the restart of its 2021 rugby
season, after a very challenging 2020.
The Fund, will see 11 of
the 39 Unions; Namibia, Kenya, Uganda, Tunisia, Zimbabwe, Algeria,
Zambia, Madagascar, Côte d’ivoire, Senegal, Ghana eligible for the
funds. A very targeted approach has been taken to ensure funds are
applied where they will have the greatest, immediate impact and
highlights the attractiveness of Rugby Africa competitions
Khaled
Babbou President of Rugby Africa, “This is an exciting day for rugby on
the Continent. It clearly illustrates Rugby Africa’s support for its
Unions. We have been through extraordinary challenges this year and it
is essential that we do everything possible to keep this much - loved
sport alive and striving in Africa.”Selection ProcessRA EXCO used the following criteria in awarding the funds: - 40% of the fund scored on Development –The
strength and development level of domestic competitions and the
existing support workforce necessary to develop clubs and leagues in a
country. A Union Development Questionnaire (using a scoring tool developed by World Rugby) was used in consultation with each Union.
- 60% of the fund scored on Performance
– The participation and results of Rugby Africa Unions during the 2018
or 2019 season i.e. Rugby Cup (Men and Women), Sevens (Men and Women)
and U20 Barthès Trophy
Depending
on their scores, Unions are eligible to receive between EUR 43,736 and
EUR 5,027 as part of the Fund. Rugby Africa staff will work closely with
the Unions to draft a program to be presented to Senior Management and
EXCO for approval before release of the funds which is expected early in
2021.
“We are very comfortable with the robust judging
criteria used to ensure the fairness of the process and how much each
Union will receive,” said Steph Nel: Rugby Service Manager for Africa,
World Rugby.
Use of funds
The 11
recipient unions will carefully consider their areas that need the most
urgent development or improvement. This could be for example the
restart of the domestic leagues, training camps for the national teams
to properly prepare ahead of the International/Rugby teams. Some of the
unions may require to bolster the staffing of the national teams, and
with the Olympic games in the near future, use the funding to pay for
participation in the preparation tournaments.
Andrew Owor,
Vice President of Rugby Africa: “We have all lived in unprecedented
times this year due to the pandemic. One could never have imagined that
globally, all sporting events would be shut down for a number of months.
Without the much- needed cash injection, it would have been impossible
to see the restart of our competitions, for them to be competitive and
to put the players in the best possible position to play entertaining
rugby that fans have so sorely missed.”
This Fund is
different to the Emergency Solidarity fund that saw Rugby Union paying
EUR 117k to 31 Unions for immediate food and medical relief. It assisted
the most vulnerable communities with food parcels and / or to supply
clubs with masks, sanitisers and medical supplies.
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