The President of the Nigeria Rugby Football Federation (NRFF), Ademola Are, said the federation will continue to work towards promoting girl-child participation in rugby across the country.
Are stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja.
He said that the federation was determined to enhance grassroots development of the sport in Nigeria.
He said Rugby Rising Play is World Rugby’s first evidence-based girls’ participation programme, specifically designed to introduce teenage girls to rugby.
“The selected coaches, representing Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, will work under the guidance of Wuraola Hussain, a Rugby Africa-certified educator.
“Their primary responsibilities will include driving grassroots development, fostering inclusivity, and encouraging young girls to take up the sport,”he said.
According to him, the federation has appointed 15 national coaches to promote Rugby Rising Play in Nigeria, a progressive grassroots programme.
The president said the appointment was made based on the coaches’ successful completion of the T1 Rugby Course, World Rugby’s introductory non-contact rugby programme.
“This initiative marks a significant milestone in the federation’s efforts to grow the sport and promote gender equality in Nigeria,” he said.
The 15 coaches and their states of assignment are:
- Amarachi Orji to coach Abia State
- Lawrenta Ukponwan to coach Edo State
- Azeez Abimbola to coach Rivers State
- Opene Awuli to coach Delta State
- Olanrewaju Pereira to coach Abuja FCT
- Torkwase Adug to coach Benue State
- Innocent Precious to coach Lagos State
- Paul Adagbo to coach Plateau State
- Umar Bau to coach Kano State
- Kehinde Adelaja to coach Ogun State
- Mohammed Ibrahim to coach Kwara State
- Shehu Garba to coach Bauchi State
- Moses Archibong to coach Akwa Ibom State
- Vincent Paul to coach Anambra State
- Sadam Abubakar to coach Kaduna State
The president said these coaches would be supervised by Hussain, a certified World Rugby educator.
“All the coaches have successfully completed their safeguarding course in accordance with the federation.
“This strategic initiative aims to harness the talent and potentials of young girls and create pathways for their involvement and growth in rugby at the national level,” he said.