Thailand Rugby Roadshow “Rugby On Tour Clinic”, The Thailand Rugby Union has launched a unique way to spread rugby across Thailand as the Thai government has Issued the unlock phase 6 and so various activities can now take place.
As all major planned tournaments, such as the Asia 7s tournament, have been cancelled. TRU has decided to invest in ‘growing the game’ via this project.
World Rugby: Return to Rugby Guidelines
The tour will be led by legendary All Black and current Thailand national team head coach Lote Raikabula.
It shall constitute a combination of training and education as well as the Get into Rugby program.
The travelling group will be comprised of the national coaching staff of the 7s and 15s teams, physio, first aid staff, match officials and 10 men and 10 women players.
Lote Raikabula commented about the Planed tour “Our plan is to spread the game of Rugby all over the country. Also showing a bit of care and support to our outskirt rugby community.
I emphases to the union how important this province are. They are the backbone of Rugby in the country. If the grassroots is not taken care there won’t be any talent coming through to the National team.”
Coach Raikabula further added “We want to make sure the coaches in this different provinces are up to standard with rugby nowadays So we can play or have some good rugby played in the grassroots level, e.g Uni games, colleges and clubs.
we are taking the National players with us (10 women’s, 10 men’s) on tour this will definitely get more attention during the clinic. As a coach, I train them at lunchtime in front of the local kids and coaches.
So now everyone can see them in the real face not just on TV. We also want to bring some normality and smiles into the people in their province especially after the lockdown from the COV19.”
The tour will cover 6 Zones each trip and will cater to participants from 6-7 provinces in one location. The plan is to cover as much of Thailand as possible.
Each session will be over two days, consisting of a morning session in the classroom and evening session on the ground.
1st trip Ubonratchathani province.
2nd at Surathani province (Southern)
3rd at Bangkok (Central)
4th at Nakonratchasima province (Northeastern)
5th at Chiangmai province (North)
6th at Chonburi province (east)
Mr Atapol Wongratana , General Manager ” The tour was made possible with the guidance of Pol.Lt.Col. Kulthon Prachuabmoh, President of Thailand Rugby Union, We would like to develop local coaches, physio, first aid staff and referees to be the same standard as the national team.”
We would hope this will help to raise the awareness of rugby throughout Thailand, for each session we have invited 70 students from primary to university to watch and train the same drill with the national squad”
