SOS LV = Kit Aid kit deiveries :-
2008 - 1 , 2007 - 3, 2006 - 2 , 2005 -3, 2004-3, 2003 - 3
As Georgia is now part of the IRB elite country development programme LV=SOS Kit Aid has stopped sending kit deliveries as Georgia now receives large financial support from the IRB and we feel there are now other more desrving cases.
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LATEST SOS KIT DELIVERY ARRIVES IN GEORGIA!
SOS has been supplying much needed rugby kit to Georgia since 2003. The Federation said (29/8/06):-
"SOS IRB Kit Aid deliveries are passed onto all age-grade rugby clubs all over the Country, and especially in the remote regions of Georgia, where support, extended by SOS has been and continues to be a considerable boost for the development of age grade rugby.
Co-operation of SOS IRB Kit Aid is much more than just rugby kit. Since 2003 SOS has been helping us obtain valuable information on coaching and referee training methodolioies. In April 2006, thanks to SOS, the Georgian U/17 National team was invited to take part in an international National Rugby Festival in England(funded by the RFU) where they played Scotland, Canada, Wales and England. They have been invited again in 2007! "
Georgian U/11 boys practising for a local rugby festival and they are wearing shirts kindly donated by Fleetwood RFC, Lancashire!
In Georgia, the support provided by SOS - IRB Kit Aid is distributed by Rugby Supporters' Alliance. This summer, RSA started the process in the regions and by now the kit has already been passed to all the 24 Georgian junior rugby clubs - 13 regional: Batumi, Kobuleti, Keda, Shuakhevi, Poti, Senaki, Kutaisi, Borjomi, Akhaltsikhe, Aspindza, Rustavi, Bolnisi and Patardzeuli and 11 Tbilissian clubs: Kochebi, Akademia Imedi L, Lelo, GTU, Mglebi, Armazi, Jikebi, Dinamo, Lokomotivi, Khuligana and School no. 180.
Based on Rugby Continuum regulations, sent from England, RSA has developed the methodology of junior rugby coaching, which will be published as a brochure and passed managers of all the local junior clubs. In the future, RSA will attempt to integrate this methodology in the process of training little rugby players in Georgia.
The support of the English rugby community causes considerable positive changes in the development of rugby in our country, for which we would like to thank all of them, including the special friend of Georgian rugby - John Broadfoot.
Rugby is a team sport, it does not recognize borders or distinguish among the strong and the weak. Thus England and Georgia have found themselves side by side working together for worldwide dissemination and development of rugby.
Can you help?
The Georgian Rugby Federation have launched an ambitious 3 year development plan to achieve the long term goal of being a major player in world rugby by 2012.
Short term goals include :-
*boosting junior player numbers by 25% every year over the next 3 years.
*With corresponding increase in coaches,referees and managers
*State funding of school and university rugby to be increased each year
*Greater coverage for rugby on tv, radio
*Georgian national team to at least reach semi-final of relevant European tournaments
* National team training complex and 4 rugby stadia and 16 pitches to be constructed
*Develop age grade rugby to cover 10,000 children in schools of whom 4000 will join rugby clubs
* 50 school teachers every year to be trained to teach rugby in schools
*Increase number of junior rugby clubs from 31 currently to 50 by 2008
*Organise summer junior training camps/rugby festivals/tournaments.
* Develop rugby in the regions via new 8 region structure.
"This second SOS kit delivery is just amazing.The kit is being sorted now ; it's distribution will start next week. We will be able to help clubs with several age groups now. We cannot but wonder at the generosity with which you share kit with us. We are looking forward as well to the coaching books and videos you are sending out to us "
GEORGIAN JUNIOR RUGBY STRUCTURE
At present there are 23 junior clubs in Georgia. Eight in Western Georgia :-
- Batumi, Shuakhevi,Keda,Kobuleti,Poti,
Patardzeuli,Kutaisi and Senaki
5 in Eastern Georgia :-
- Borjomi, Akhaltsikhe, Bolnisi, Patardzeuli and Rustavi
10 in the capital, Tbilisi:-
-Kochebi,Lelo,Hooligans(great name !),TSU,Imedi L,Mglebi, Armazi, Jikebi, Dinamo ,and School 180
Total playing numbers are around 1,800 in 78 age grade teams
By Age groups(not club) :-
7-8 years - 4 teams
9-10 years - 15 teams
11-12 years - 20 teams
13-14 years - 15 teams
15-16 years - 12 teams
17-18 years - 12 teams
Kit priorities are boots and balls. Rugby is the No 1 sport in Georgia and there are thousands more children/juniors wanting to play - so please give generously!
Information correct as June 2008
Pictured are John Broadfoot(far left) and Andy Thompson (2nd right) of SOS meeting Merab Antadze - President of the Georgian Rugby Federation.
President George Nijaradze
Union Website http://www.rugby.ge/
Union Email mailto:gru@caucasus.net
Union Address
49a Chavchavadze Ave
Sports Department
Tbilisi
0162 GEORGIA
Number Of Clubs: 25
Number Of Registered Players: 2,866
Number of Referees: 22
Pre-teen Male Players: 206
Pre-teen Female Player: 0
Teen Male Player: 2,090
Teen Female Player: 0
Senior Male Player: 560
Senior Female Player:10
Total Male Player: 2,856
Total Female Player: 10
More information on Georgian rugby can be found on thier website ( with English translation)
