Nigeria produces first local World Rugby educators
by Moronfolu Adeyemi · The Eagle OnlineNigeria has produced its first local World Rugby educators as the country moves to strengthen its rugby coaching and refereeing structures.
The development will enable the Nigeria Rugby Football Federation to reduce its reliance on foreign educators for technical programmes, with Nigerian experts now able to conduct similar programmes locally.
World Rugby East and Southern Africa Game Growth Manager, Robert Bwari, disclosed this while addressing participants at a technical development programme organised by the Nigeria Rugby Football Federation in Abuja.
Bwari said: “I am happy about the level Nigeria has reached in the past years. Now Nigeria has World Rugby educators who can train coaches and referees locally.”
He added that World Rugby would continue to provide supervision as the newly qualified local educators take charge of technical development programmes in Nigeria.
The three-day programme covered coaching, match officiating, first aid in rugby and safeguarding, attracting about 80 participants.
NRFF President Ademola Are urged the participants to apply the knowledge gained in their communities and contribute to the growth of the sport.
Are said: “Go back and impact your communities because rugby needs you. Without you, rugby cannot make headway.”
The federation’s board member and World Rugby-certified instructor, Wuraola Hussain, said the programme would provide a strong technical foundation for rugby development in Nigeria.
She said the participants would take their knowledge back to their communities and states and help move Nigerian rugby to the next level.
The NRFF has continued to invest in technical education as part of efforts to expand rugby beyond its traditional epicentres and improve Nigeria’s competitiveness on the continental and global stages.
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