23 December, 2020, Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR: On December 23, the Lao Rugby Federation (LRF) welcomed the new Executive Board, which will steer the direction of the organisation moving forward. The announcement of the new Board coincided with two significant milestones: the acceptance of the LRF as a Full Member of World Rugby, and the LRF’s 20th anniversary of operations. To celebrate the occasion, the LRF organised an event featuring dignitaries and distinguished guests representing organisations who have supported the development of LRF and the sport of rugby in the Lao PDR, alongside virtual speakers from across the world.
The LRF’s Board, consisting of nine Executive Board members will provide critical advice and guidance for the board term running until 2024. The Executive Board members are as follows:
Mr Virayouth Rathikoun, LRF President
Ms Phousay Phengphon, LRF Vice President
Ms Phaivanh Channyakham, LRF Vice President
Ms Soukita Heuagphengaon, LRF Vice President
Mr Kiriya Banchongphukdy, LRF Secretary-General
Mr Steve Major, LRF Finance Advisor
Mr Chansavang Sikhampheng, LRF Board Member
Mr Sonekeow Phonsukda, LRF Board Member
Ms Soutchai Phanyanouvong, LRF Board Member
Mr. Virayouth Rathikoun, LRF President opened the event by celebrating the progress made over the past 5 years, “We have increased our player base from 300 to over 3,000 players and established 8 rugby clubs who are registered with the LRF across 3 provinces.”
He further noted that the development of players and clubs has allowed the elevation of rugby in Laos at the international stage, “we have supported male and female representative teams including two U14 DAC Nagas teams, two U16 DAC Nagas teams, two U18 DAC Lao national teams and two senior DAC Lao national teams… In the past five years, the LRF hosted two international Asia Rugby competitions, the 2017 Asia Rugby Trophy and the 2019 U20s Asia Sevens.”
“In sport administration, the LRF is proud to be implementing best practice safeguarding in sport procedures and has successfully developed and improved its safeguarding and inclusion policy. In the past five years, the LRF also has developed and improved its finance and HR policies and its operating procedures to be a leading developing union in Asia Rugby and to meet all of World Rugby’s standards.”
Ms. Phaivanh Changnakham, a new member of the LRF’s Executive Board and Vice President of LRF, proceeded to lay out the strategic plan for the organisation. “We have approved the new 5 year development strategy to comprehensively govern domestic and international activities, which focus on encouraging children and young people to improve their essential life skills and rugby skills in order to develop themselves and support the development of the Lao PDR more widely.”
To this end, the development strategy covers crucial components such as further growing the Lao Rugby family, improving domestic rugby activities, building on key successes on the international stage, strengthening coach and match official skills as well as publicizing the LRF’s work and strengthening the fundraising and human resource capacity of the LRF.
Mr. Ridzal Saat, a representative of World Rugby, also offered his remarks; “Lao Rugby’s progress over the past 20 years and especially in the past decade has been a true testament to how quality rugby and sport administration can grow from the grassroots.”
“World Rugby is delighted to welcome the Lao PDR as one of its newest full member countries this year. The Lao Rugby Federation is an outstanding example of what is possible for rugby with immense hard work, innovation and passion and an inspiration for other unions to strive for.”
Her Excellency Mme Khanthaly Siliphongphan, Vice Minister of Education and Sports also applauded the progress made by the LRF over the past Executive Board term. She further offered several points of guidance to ensure that the LRF’s work is in line with the Ministry of Education and Sport’s strategic plans.
The LRF is excited to move forward under the leadership of the new Board and as a full member of World Rugby. As we continue our work to share the sport of rugby in the Lao PDR, we look forward to working with our partners for the advancement of the sport and the development of children and youth across the world.
About the Lao Rugby Federation
The Lao Rugby Federation (LRF) was formed in 2001. Since then, the LRF has gone on to gain full Asia Rugby and World Rugby membership and most importantly, registration with the 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 union, 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 capacities 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:
Phone: +856 21 315 795
Email: info@laorugby.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/laorugby
Website: www.laorugby.com