Ongos Valley invests into sevens opportunities
Sevens rugby
The Ongos Valley Sevens Rugby series’ first of three tournaments are set to kick off on 21 September, starting with the southern round of matches at Keetmanshoop and hosted by the town’s Keetmanshoop Rams.
The series will then move on to Swakopmund on 28 September, hosted by Dolphin Rugby Club, before culminating in the finals in Windhoek on 5 October.
As part of the initiative, a women’s tournament will also be included on 4 October.
In a championship round, two selected All Star teams from the south and coast will contest the final Windhoek tournament.
The Namibia Rugby Union (NRU), in collaboration with Ongos Valley and FNB Western Suburbs Rugby Club, proudly presents the tournament, which aims to strengthen the sevens game in Namibia.
NRU vice-president for rugby matters, Johan Diergaardt, expressed excitement about the tournament.
“Sanctioned by the NRU and hosted by FNB Western Suburbs, this event promises spectacular, fast-paced and entertaining rugby.
“This is the start of a new program. Our sevens rugby structure is not strong in Namibia at the moment, but thanks to Ongos Valley, we are now in a position to play and develop this format. Over the next five years, we plan to expand rugby’s reach across Namibia."
Reagon Graig, chairman of the Ongos Valley Development, highlighted the importance of community engagement.
“We have sponsored about a million Namibian dollars, covering the arrangement of the tournament, prize money and logistics.
“In our philosophy and vision, we prioritize getting involved in the communities where we do business. This sponsorship is part of our community engagement strategy. We are also focused on youth development and creating opportunities through sports,” Graig said.
Western Suburbs Rugby Club president Vaughan Petersen emphasized the tournament's role in talent identification and development. “The key objective of this tournament is to identify and nurture talented sevens players who can eventually represent Namibia at the national level," he explained.
With a generous N$100 000 donation from Ongos Valley and a shared vision for development, the tournament will hopefully spark a successful new chapter for the sport in the country.
The series will then move on to Swakopmund on 28 September, hosted by Dolphin Rugby Club, before culminating in the finals in Windhoek on 5 October.
As part of the initiative, a women’s tournament will also be included on 4 October.
In a championship round, two selected All Star teams from the south and coast will contest the final Windhoek tournament.
The Namibia Rugby Union (NRU), in collaboration with Ongos Valley and FNB Western Suburbs Rugby Club, proudly presents the tournament, which aims to strengthen the sevens game in Namibia.
NRU vice-president for rugby matters, Johan Diergaardt, expressed excitement about the tournament.
“Sanctioned by the NRU and hosted by FNB Western Suburbs, this event promises spectacular, fast-paced and entertaining rugby.
“This is the start of a new program. Our sevens rugby structure is not strong in Namibia at the moment, but thanks to Ongos Valley, we are now in a position to play and develop this format. Over the next five years, we plan to expand rugby’s reach across Namibia."
Reagon Graig, chairman of the Ongos Valley Development, highlighted the importance of community engagement.
“We have sponsored about a million Namibian dollars, covering the arrangement of the tournament, prize money and logistics.
“In our philosophy and vision, we prioritize getting involved in the communities where we do business. This sponsorship is part of our community engagement strategy. We are also focused on youth development and creating opportunities through sports,” Graig said.
Western Suburbs Rugby Club president Vaughan Petersen emphasized the tournament's role in talent identification and development. “The key objective of this tournament is to identify and nurture talented sevens players who can eventually represent Namibia at the national level," he explained.
With a generous N$100 000 donation from Ongos Valley and a shared vision for development, the tournament will hopefully spark a successful new chapter for the sport in the country.
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