Lao Rugby Federation Hosts Asia Rugby U20s Sevens International Tournament in Vientiane
(22 August, 2019) Vientiane, Lao PDR - This weekend, the Lao Rugby Federation (LRF) will host the Asia Rugby Under 20s (U20) Sevens at Chao Anou Vong Stadium in Vientiane. Over the course of two days, thirteen U20s teams from Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, Laos, Thailand, Singapore, South Korea, and Uzbekistan will compete for the title of the Asia Rugby U20 Cup.
The LRF is honoured to be hosting an international competition of this magnitude in Laos. In this Rugby World Cup year, rugby is growing rapidly in the Lao PDR and within the region. With over 3,000 registered players to date rugby is gaining a following within the country. One of the reasons for this growth is the Lao Rugby Federation’s role implementing the ChildFund Pass It Back curriculum to young players ages 11-16 across three provinces in Laos.
ChildFund Pass It Back Director, Chris Mastaglio explains “ChildFund, through the ChildFund Pass It Back program, is proud to support the Lao Rugby Federation to host the Asia Rugby Under 20 Sevens Series. Seeing former ChildFund Pass It Back players and current coaches from Laos represent their country on the highest stage demonstrates the role that Sport for Development programs can play in both youth and sport development.
The ChildFund Pass It Back curriculum integrates rugby and life skills training to provide lessons in a number of areas including gender, planning for the future, being healthy, preventing violence, safeguarding and leadership. The majority of players in the DAC Lao National Teams are graduates from the LRF’s Champa Ban powered by ChildFund Pass It Back youth rugby program and were able to join the national teams after transitioning from tag to contact rugby through their involvement in contact rugby clinics and by joining rugby clubs in their communities..
Mr. Mastaglio goes on to assert, “We are also proud to also see that at the competition there will be officials, administrators and first aid responders that have all come through the ChildFund Pass It Back program - as the principal charity partner for Rugby World Cup 2019 in Japan, we are proud to support Laos to host this event and we wish all the teams the best of luck!”
As the governing body of the rugby union in Asia, LRF is proud to be a full member of this association since the 2004. The Asia Rugby U20s Sevens are taking place during Asia Rugby’s exciting Sevens seasons with age grade and senior competitions happening across the continent. One of these tournaments was the Asia Rugby Sevens Trophy (ARST), which took place in Jakarta, Indonesia from 10 - 11 August 2019. The ARST saw the participation of the DAC Lao National Teams against some of the strongest rugby teams in Asia and placed the Women’s and the Men’s team 6th and 8th respectively in the final standings respectively. One of the highlights of the competition was the DAC Lao Women's National Team’s 19 - 0 victory against the Qatar Women's National Team.
The Captains’ Call will take place at Chao Anouvong Stadium on 23 August at 17:00. Captains for the Lao and international teams will be present to answer any questions about their involvement in the tournament.
The opening match for the Asia Rugby U20 Sevens will take place at 12:30 on Saturday, 24 August. The semi final rounds will start at 13:00, followed by the final matches starting at 15:00 and the closing ceremony at 17:30 on Sunday 25 August. Entry fee is free of charge and all invited to come and cheer for the U20 teams.
NOTES TO THE EDITOR: About the Lao Rugby Federation
The Lao Rugby Federa1on (LRF) was formed in 2001. Since then, the LRF has gone on to gain full membership of Asian Rugby, associate member status of World Rugby and most importantly, registration with the Elite Sports Department of the Lao Ministry of Education and Sport (MoES).
The LRF is the governing body for all rugby activities within the Lao PDR. LRF activities are focused on developing the sport through a school and community development programme, supporting domestic and elite teams to improve and developing a sound structure to provide transparent and accountable financial and administrative support to the sport.
The LRF mission is: To provide opportunities for men and women, boys and girls, social and elite players and those in urban and rural areas to participate in the sport of rugby, whilst ensuring that health benefits and personal development opportunities are realised to their fullest extent.
The LRF understands that this can only be achieved by ensuring that we have the necessary capactities to deliver high quality playing and participation opportunities; this involves engagement with the government, communities, businesses, schools and other institutions to provide sustainable access to participation (playing and non-playing) opportunities.
For more information, please contact:
Savanhxay Xayyasone (Lao) or Ariel Pueyo (English) Phone: +856 21 315 795
Email: info@laorugby.com
Website: www.laorugby.com
Editors: Images are available upon request.