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Khelo Rugby of India has won the Rhino Grassroots Rugby Award for 2019.A charity that promotes rugby across India in impoverished communities saw off fierce competition from three incredible causes in Friends of Rwandan Rugby, Visually Impaired Rugby by The Change Foundation and Grass Roots Rugby Japan 2019."Fantastic to be recognised by Rhino for our Khelo Rugby project," says founder Paul Walsh. "We've thousands of children playing each week and it's great fun to be a part of it. The motivation is seeing those rugby smiles. "Although Khelo has rugby as its catalyst and is what we're passionate about, our effort goes double into developing opportunities for our young players....
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The long-running SOS Kit Aid has become the second organisation to be shortlisted for the 2018 Rhino Grass Roots Rugby Award.Now in its 18th year, SOS Kit Aid has delivered more than £6m-worth of quality used and new kit to some 44 emerging rugby nations across the world, including those as far afield as South America and Asia, and in doing so helping over 250,000 disadvantaged youngsters. In the last year alone it has made more than 40 kit deliveries including the first one ever to Sri Lanka.The three finalists going to the public vote are:SOS Kit Aid was founded by rugby dad John Broadfoot following a visit to Romania. Since then, SOS Kit Aid has been collecting unwanted from schools, clubs, companies and universities and redistributing it across the less fortunate members of the rugby diaspora. Reg Clark, CEO, Rhino, said: "SOS Kit Aid have consistently been doing such a good job that they deserve every recognition....
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The Rhino Prop Star judging panel of Adam Jones, Jason Leonard, Joe Marler and Rochelle 'Rocky' Clark have announced their shortlist of three finalists who will now go to a public vote to decide who takes the title at this year's Varsity Match on Thursday 6th December.More than 200 nominations were received for props across England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales making the judges decision tougher than ever, but for those who didn't make the final three, there is still the opportunity to enjoy a lap of honour as part of the Prop Star Parade which will also take place at half-time of the men's Varsity Match between Cambridge University and Oxford University. The three finalists going to the public vote are:Nick Lee, Worcester Rugby Club "The driving force behind our team for people of all abilities and disabilities," says his nominator. "He's a constant source of knowledge and inspiration for players new and old. He never gives less than 100 per cent on and off the pitch – this team wouldn't exist without him." Dan Lampard, Trojans FC "Having undergone operations on his leg since the age of two, Dan was told he would never play field sports....
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The United World Games has been announced as the third contender for this year's Rhino Grass Roots Rugby Award.Annual Olympic-style junior sports festival United World Games (UWG) has joined SOS Kit Aid and Shibuya International Rugby Club on the shortlist having been commended for helping to promote rugby in developing nations. These have included sponsoring the very first rugby refugee team (ROB) to enter their tournament in 2016, leading the way before the Olympics followed suit later that yearNext year, the 15th UWG will take place where junior athletes compete in sports varying from rugby and archery to floorball, orienteering and ultimate frisbee. Held in Klagenfurrt, Austria, it's expected to attract more than 10,000 participants from 40 different nations."Rugby is one of 15 sports hosted at the United World Games, but it is one that fits most perfectly into the sportsmanship, fair play, respect and multicultural camaraderie concept that surrounds the games," explains Renée Marie Carmine-Jones of UWG. "UWG not only offers opportunities for teams and their representatives from various nations to build their networks, but also offers free clinics for players and coaches as well as professional assessments and feedback for match officials."Fijian legend Waisale Serevi presents an award at the UWGReg Clark, CEO, Rhino said: "UWG thoroughly deserve the nomination for the Rhino Grass Roots Rugby Award, they don't just put on a wonderful tournament of rugby, but they go the extra mile in delivering coaching programmes for those involved: players, coaches and officials."They are committed to helping developing nations and even worked with local government in South Africa to make it possible for girls from a township to leave their country for the first time in order to compete in a rugby tournament."To find out more about UWG, visit unitedworldgames.comThere will be four nominated finalists for the Rhino Grass Roots Rugby Award, with the final contender revealed in the next fortnight....
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Rotherham Phoenix's transgender prop icon Verity 'Vez' Smith has been crowned Rhino Prop Star 2018.In Rhino's annual search for a hero of grassroots rugby, Verity saw off 200 prop contenders from across the UK to be crowned Prop Star at half-time during The Varsity Match between Oxford University and Cambridge University.The competition began in April, and saw props nominated by clubs for their incredible efforts in going beyond the call of duty. A shortlist of three was chosen by a panel of international legends – Jason Leonard, Rocky Clark, Adam Jones and Joe Marler – which then went to the public vote. Thousands of votes were cast as the nation decided between Nick Lee of Worcester Rugby Club, who set up a mixed ability rugby club; Dan Lampard of Trojans FC, who defied doctors who told him he would never play rugby; and Verity 'Vez' Smith, who has championed LGBTQ+ rights and has bravely stood up for transgender sports people. Verity receives the award from Rocky, applauded by Nick and Dan.All images: Matthew Impey, Wired Photos Nick Lee, said: "Prop Star was a shock to me as I was put forward secretly by some of my teammates, it was nice to think they thought that much of me to put me forward for this nationwide competition....
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Kosovan women's rugby pioneers Balkans Lynx Rugby Club are the fourth and final organisation to be shortlisted for the 2018 Rhino Grass Roots Rugby Award.The Pristina-based rugby club is the country's first-ever women's rugby club and was set up in 2017 by American Bronwyn Jones together with coaches Mark Barrett and Simon Gill, who hail from England and Ireland.In a society where 'it's not even common for women to go to the gym', the Balkans Lynx Rugby Clubs has managed to build a squad of 25 players and started to compete competitively – albeit having to travel outside of Kosovo for matches to places such as Bulgaria, due to being the only women's side in the country. Bronwyn and Balkans Lynx Rugby Club have also played a key role in the wider game in Kosovo, helping to put together the country's first-ever Rugby Federation – the main picture is the side celebrating its formation – and also meeting the International Olympic Committee. They're now applying for funding from Rugby Europe and a distant dream is even a place at Tokyo 2020. Football pitches are the only option for training in KosovoBut perhaps the biggest impact of the club has been on the wider society, where Bronwyn has helped challenge perceptions....
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RHINO SIGNS UP FOR RUGBY LEAGUE WORLD CUP 2021 [RLWC2021] INSPIRATIONALL PROGRAMME Rhino, one of the sport’s leading brands, has partnered with the RLWC2021 to help deliver two of the tournament’s legacy programmesThe RLWC2021 has today announced a new partnership with Rhino, one of the world’s leading rugby league equipment manufacturers, to provide exclusive support for two of the tournament’s InspirationALL legacy initiatives.Rhino won a competitive tender to become the first partner of the CreatedBy RLWC2021 Capital Grants Programme, where they will supply the provision of CreatedBy RLWC 2021 branded kit and equipment for the small grants scheme. The CreatedBy RLWC2021 Capital Grants Programme offers rugby league clubs and community groups the opportunity to bid for funding to increase participation and engagement within their local communities. The application process for interested grassroots clubs and communities is now open on www.RLWC2021.com/facilities with funding available for large transformational projects and smaller-scale initiatives, including the kit and equipment that will be supplied by Rhino via CreatedBy RLWC2021 funding.In addition, the agreement will also see Rhino support the RLWC2021 International Development Programme (IDP), which includes the production and delivery of a full InspirationALL playing kit that will be donated to a local team in each of the locations visited around the world over the next three years ahead of the tournament. The IDP will see the legacy team travel across the globe to burgeoning rugby league nations to transfer knowledge and provide support to help grow the sport....
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Tokyo-based Shibuya International Rugby Club has beaten a world-class field of community-driven rugby organisations to win the 2018 Rhino Grass Roots Rugby Award.Shibuya International Rugby Club (SIRC) were joined on the strongest-ever shortlist for the prestigious award by SOS Kit Aid, Balkans Lynx Rugby Club and United World Games. The Japanese rugby club picked up the award for being truly inclusive. In a country which lacks public playing fields, and where rugby clubs are mostly centred on schools, universities and companies SIRC, is a rarity – a new open club based in a specific locality and one which is moreover, currently focused on mini and junior rugby for boys and girls.In announcing the award, Rhino CEO Reg Clark said: “SIRC addresses a major developmental issue for Japanese rugby by encouraging the game for boys and girls at an early stage and being open, not confined to players from particular institutions.“Koji has operated at the highest levels in international rugby administration but he has shown by this initiative his passionate commitment also to contributing to grass roots development of the game in Japan. Developing interest in rugby amongst the young is a major target for RWC2019 and SIRC is a great example of how that might happen.”Koji Tokumasu said: “Shibuya International Rugby Club is delighted to have won this prestigious award....
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Rhino Rugby League are delighted to announce an increased focus on the community game both in the UK and overseas. Rhino RL already partners the NCL and numerous other Community Leagues at all levels, and this new plan will continue and increase this support. This new strategy has also seen Rhino recently announced as the Official kit and equipment provider for the 2021 World Cup InspirationALL Legacy programmes. This increased investment into developing grass roots Rugby League will see Rhino end its successful 5 year partnership as the Official Ball of the Super League and RFL ....
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As the official equipment supplier to the Welsh Rugby Union, Rhino has an incredible money-can't-buy experience to be won – where you can meet the 2019 Guinness Six Nations squad and watch them train at the Wales HQ.In the build-up to the all-important England clash, you can join Rhino at the Wales training base on Tuesday 19th February at the Vale Resort in Hensol where you will:– Have lunch in Wales team room – Meet some of the Guinness Six Nations squad and coaches – Attend a Wales training session All entrants must be able to attend the training session during the day – able to meet at 11.30am at the Vale Resort. There is no alternative prize or date for this competition. To enter, simply answer this question:When did Wales last win a Six Nations' Grand Slam?Closing date for entries: 11.02.19. Rules are at the bottom of this page.Rules: 1) There is no alternative prize in this competition....
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Rhino has been mastering the art of scrum machines for more almost 40 years, working with the very best in the game. Here, Wales and British & Irish Lions propping legend and Harlequins scrum coach, Adam Jones, gives us his tips on building a front rowIn this Scrum School video masterclass, using the Rhino Premier Sled scrum machine, Adam talks us through the best way to get maximum output from your front row as he discusses posture, binding, leg position and engagement. The Premier Sled scrum machine used in the video is one of the world-class range of Rhino machines trusted by international and club sides across the planet, including England, France, British & Irish Lions and Grand Slam champions Wales. View the full Rhino scrum machine collection here
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Following a rigorous tender process, Rhino has won the contract to supply the 50 sports clubs and 90 societies of the University of Lincoln Students' Union with teamwear from 2019-2021.The University of Lincoln Students' Union has more than 2,600 sporting students, offering a wide range of sports from sailing and swimming to fencing, futsal, karate and netball, and this week it announced Rhino as its chosen teamwear supplier in a three-year-deal.Following an extensive tender process, the university opted for Rhino and, in doing so, joined a sporting family that includes the University of Oxford, Cardiff University, University of Cambridge, the British & Irish Lions, England Rugby and the Welsh Rugby Union – all of which are supplied with either Rhino equipment or teamwear. In total, Rhino currently supplies teamwear across more than 60 different sporting disciplines.The University of Lincoln Students' Union's Vice President Activities, Cassie Coakley, said: “I am delighted to announce our new kit supplier will be Rhino. Rhino are a professional and passionate brand who I am happy and excited to be working with. I am proud to say that the process of deciding which supplier to go with has been in the hands of our student sports clubs from start to finish....
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Jungle Crows RFC, the rugby club set up to help Indian street children, have hit Bollywood with a film telling their story previewing in Cannes earlier this monthThe Jungle Crows were started in 2004 by former British diplomat and rugby fanatic Paul Walsh in Kolkata, West Bengal, with the intention of helping Indian street children with tag rugby. But so taken were the children by the sport, that Paul managed to get them entered into a tournament in England just three years later. Overcoming an assortment of obstacles including the fact street children don’t have passports, Paul then helped the team of under-14s to the final against a team from South Africa, which they won, 19-7, with South African legend Chester Williams there to present the trophy.It was then that Rhino got involved, teaming up with the RAF Spitfires sevens team to send the Jungle Crows one of the world’s best-selling scrum machines, the Premier Sled, much used since and rumoured to be one of biggest items ever delivered by diplomatic pouch – to the British Consulate in Kolkata. The machine was also blessed before use by a Saduh, an Indian holy man, see below.Going from strength to strength, today, the Jungle Crows run sides for men and women, adults and juniors....
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