Rugby Lover Administrators
Bhubaneswar (Surjit Kumar Dhal): ‘Train the Trainers’, a detailed training and education programme by the Indian Rugby Football Union (IRFU) in association with Sports & Youth Services Department, Govt. of Odisha, and Odisha Rugby Football Association (ORFA) last week launched with an aim to empower participants to deliver. Rugby India in association with ORFA aims to reach out to large numbers of PE teachers from Government & Private Educational Institutions across the State over the next three years through this initiative.
The Rugby ‘Train the Trainers’ programme course will be delivered to PE Teachers from Primary, Secondary & Higher Secondary Schools affiliated by the Odisha Department of School & Mass Education and PE Teachers from Ashram Schools, affiliated to ST SC Development, Minorities and Backward Classes Welfare Department and students of Govt. Physical Education Collage, Bhubaneswar.
This Training & Education (T&E) started on Wednesday 21st July, 2021. It received an overwhelming participation response. About 250 PE Teachers from Khordha and Cuttack districts as well as students of GCPE, Bhubaneswar registered for the programme. Principal Secretary, School and Mass Education, Satyabrata Sahu, Principal Secretary, Sports & Youth Services Vishal Kumar Dev, and Rahul Bose, actor, director, philanthropist and Board member of Rugby India attended the inaugural sessions. Speaking on the occasion Dev said, “It is evident that girls from Odisha have done well, often leading from the front. We want to create a strong system and give the same chance to other young boys and girls to take up this sport. Today’s programme, is a first step towards developing Rugby certified coaches and can take up further activities at the grassroots.”
Last year, the state had signed a partnership with Rugby India to support not only Indian National teams, but also develop, promote and expand the sports in Odisha other than hockey and football. We have seen Odia players from rural and tribal areas, rise to international stature and we are keen to see that number increase.” Bose said, “These Rugby courses with Olympic level credibility, will help PE teachers and coaches to nurture new talent from schools, colleges, universities from across Odisha. These efforts will not only help in identifying and training the next generation national players from the state but will also seed Rugby at a deep, fundamental level, making it in the future.”
The benefactors of this programme will be sports coaches, physical education teachers, and students. Once certified, the participants will be equipped to conduct grassroots activities and nurture new talents in their respective districts. Rugby India’s & ORFA’s certified educators & coaches will lead this program. This initiative is aligned with developing players & rugby teams from schools, colleges, universities, district and states to perform in SGFI’s National School Games, AIU’s National University Games, Districts and State Rugby Championships and IRFU’s national competitions. This program will not only equip the PE teachers and students with the appropriate knowledge, skill and aptitude but also enhance their livelihood opportunities. Certification will provide an advantage point and they can go on to mentor the next generation of Rugby players from a very young age.
