ONE of the top nations in the sport of rugby, New Zealand is continually promoting the growth of it, including here in the Philippines where it has seen a steady rise in appreciation.
In line with its thrust, the New Zealand Embassy in the Philippines recently helped organized an exhibition match between the New Zealand Mangatainoka Barbarians and the Manila Barbarians.
It was part of a series of activities all geared towards promoting rugby in the Philippines.
Prior to the exhibition match on Aug. 6 at the International School of Manila at the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig, New Zealand Ambassador handed over a check for P800,000 to the Philippine Rugby Football Union (PRFU).
It was in support of the PRFU project “Rugby for All,” which aims to offer equal opportunities to youths and increase participation in the sport.
The grant will help provide rugby training, clinics, and festivals in Negros Occidental.
This will be implemented in 60 schools and provide equal opportunity for boys and girls to participate in organized sport.
“Whenever someone thinks of New Zealand, rugby and the All Blacks (New Zealand national team) come to mind. We are delighted to share this passion with young Filipinos with the help of the Philippine Rugby Football Union. It is an honor for New Zealand to support the development of rugby in the Philippines,” said Mr. Strachan during the event.
“Rugby — A Sport for All,” meanwhile, is PRFU’s contribution to the Asia 1 Million Project initiative of Asia Rugby, to kick start the growth of the sport across the region.
The recent rugby event was the second the New Zealand Embassy had helped organized in the country.
Last year, also at the International School of Manila, the embassy set up for its Navy rugby team to play the Philippine Volcanoes in a series of matches.
Mr. Strachan said sports, particularly rugby, is one way they are trying to foster camaraderie and diplomacy with other nations. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo
