Rugby More support towards local school rugby programme |14 June 2023

The presentation ceremony (Photo: Contributed)

Following its presentation to the École Française des Seychelles, the local rugby governing body recently handed over equipment to the International School Seychelles as part of its campaign to partner with local educational institutions, helping them set up, or improve existing school rugby programmes.

The equipment presentations are part of the Seychelles Rugby Union’s (SRU) mandate to promote and propagate the sport of rugby locally, especially at grassroots level, thus ensuring a healthy future for the sport.

It was chairman of the SRU, Captain Luke Fonseka, who handed over the equipment – balls, shirts, and caps – to some players during a small ceremony held at the school in the presence of the principal and head of secondary Elodie Vallantine, along with Guy Parsley who is the head of rugby at the school.

The SRU chairman said the union is thrilled to support another local school with promoting and growing youth rugby in Seychelles.

He said they are looking forward to seeing those young players develop into the country’s future stars, while pledging the full support of the SRU throughout their journey.

Captain Fonseka added that the SRU hopes to see more local schools take part fully in rugby, with the vision of creating a school league in the near future.

“Rugby is back in Seychelles, and it is here to stay,” concluded Captain Fonseka.

The donation is part of a batch of 150 balls the SRU received from the British high commission, with the intention of equipping local schools with rugby balls and equipment so that the sport can be played throughout the country by all.

Other schools looking to get kitted out can send an email to seychellesrugby@gmail.com to receive equipment and coaching.

Roland Duval