World Rugby Training & CRFA Get Into Rugby Conference, 25th & 26th March 2017 Beijing, China
The World Rugby & CRFA Get Into Rugby conference themed “Chinese Rugby Family” was hosted at International School Beijing over two days. Close to 100 stakeholders were involved in the conference which saw key rugby persons from all over China gathering for the first time in Beijing.
Best practice examples of World Rugby Get Into Rugby & Asia 1 Million processes, Training & Education, Rugby Club infrastructures, current issues and Athlete development pathways were the main topics of discussion.
Some great learnings for all involved as China moves towards a golden era for rugby development in terms of the increasing number of players from grassroots to elite levels and developing athlete pathways.
Key outcomes of the conference as below:
- World Rugby’s GIR programme will be for all stakeholders. This is a great tool to start rugby in schools and for children of all ages as there are non contact and contact versions of the game.
- Asia Rugby 1 Million project uses GIR programmes and aims to achieve 1 million new players by 2020. In China, this is being run in 4 locations: Beijing, Shanghai, Liaoning & Shandong
- Alisports is presently committed to supporting CRFA’s domestic 7’s series and aims to host international events and start development projects in the near future
- Aon Insurance will provide coverage packages for individual rugby player, clubs & events
- “Trying Rugby” has been appointed as the official company that will bring the CRFA Youth U18’s team to New Zealand in June
- Governance & Funding models were presented to all clubs
- Unregistered clubs were encouraged to be officially registered
- CRFA has development projects available for tender for legitimate clubs
- World Rugby & CRFA will look to increase Educator workforce
- World Rugby & CRFA will provide Training & Education support by conducting regional Training & Education weeks (2 per year)
- Judicial pathways are being developed, registered clubs involved in CRFA sanctioned events will have access to this
- Technical Working group to be set up late 2017 to review current modified rugby laws and proposed pathways for rugby in China
- A combined China Rugby calendar that will include tournaments, training & education and major rugby events
Quotes:
“What a great initiative. This event was truly game changing as it brought together stakeholders from all across greater China to sit together and discuss in an open forum the key issues that affect the players, clubs and the China Rugby Football Association (CRFA) itself. Having over 100 people gathered in Beijing whose sole passion is to see the game grow from strength to strength in China was very humbling for us all. It was even broadcast live with over 350 people tuned in to watch and take in the discussions.
It is a mark of how important this was to everyone by having representatives from both the New Zealand Embassy and Fiji Embassy giving up their valuable time to participate in the opening ceremony. We even heard that China’s Premier Li Ke Qiang had been briefed on this historic conference immediately ahead of his arrival in New Zealand, where the Chinese youth’s 15’s shall be travelling to a training camp.
The contents of this first conference touched on a number of wide ranging areas and congratulations to everyone who took part over the weekend. Every person’s contribution was valued and the outcomes will definitely help provide the building blocks to develop the Game even further”
Mr. Ross Mitchell (General Manager, Asia Rugby)
“I was very impressed with the passion, commitment and support clearly visible within the Rugby community and shown by all the participants over the two days.
World Rugby & CRFA ran an excellent event and I personally learned a lot and made many new friends/connections that I am sure will benefit our Sports Beijing Rugby program in the future.
We will look to utilise the tools & support mechanism that World Rugby is providing to the Rugby community, starting with the GIR program and we can’t wait to let our members know about the exciting developments.”
Carlos Javier (Sports Beijing)
“The inaugural conference was a good platform for the different stakeholders to learn and share best practices, not only from the Asia Rugby and World Rugby Delegates, but from each other on facing the challenges they face and the possible solutions offered during the conference. It was fantastic that the CRFA co Organised this conference and the CRFA officials were at hand to share policies, and their plans to grow the game in China. The key steps moving forward would be how to work together to strengthen the “Chinese Rugby Family” which was the them of the conference. As a delegate it was a huge learning experience for me personally and professionally to listen to the different presentations and questions from the over 100 rugby stakeholders in China.”
Ridzal Saat (Rugby Services Manager, Asia, World Rugby)
The World Rugby & CRFA conference at the weekend was a great step in the right direction for China Rugby. World Rugby and the CRFA are working hard to drive forward the growth of the Rugby especially amongst the youth in China and the Beijing Devils are happy to support the ‘Get Into Rugby’ initiative encouraging rugby participation. World Rugby will be working with local clubs like the Beijing Devils to train club members to become qualified referees and coaches, and then in turn we will help support CRFA to develop Rugby with Chinese nationals. This is a fantastic opportunity and we are delighted to be a part of the overall China Rugby initiative!
Steven Lynch – Club Captain Beijing Devils
British Chamber of Commerce China
