Rhino Grassroots Rugby Award 2019 shortlists Khelo Rugby

The Rhino Grassroots Rugby Award 2019 have shortlisted the Indian based Khelo Rugby as one of three shortlisted nominees.

What is the Rhino Grassroots Rugby Award 2019?

Rhino is one of the most well-known rugby apparel and training gear manufacturers in the world. They started in 1980 in the UK and produce scrum machines, contact and breakdown equipment, balls, team kit, sportswear etc.

They started the Rhino Grassroots Rugby Award in 2015 and highlight some of the leading grassroots and community-driven rugby development programs in the world.

Asia has previously had two winners; Kampuchea Balopp (Cambodia) and Shibuya Rugby (Japan).

What does Khelo Rugby do?

Khelo Rugby operates in 35 locations in Kolkata, India as well as in seven villages in and around Saraswatipur in the north of West Bengal, nine locations in Bengaluru and with a group of villages in the Jarmundi block in Jharkhand.

We spoke to Khelo founder Paul Walsh earlier this year who told us:

“It was around 2010 when we started Khelo Rugby. It was the idea of our players to take coaching out into their communities. Khelo means ‘play’ and is the best thing to shout to keep children running with the ball. It was strange enough getting the odd-shaped ball out without then having to explain what “Jungle Crows” was, so Khelo Rugby worked better as a community project.”

Jungle Crows is also linked to Khelo, and Khelo aims to “not only tackles social issues with children, but it also empowers adults by developing young coaches and referees.”

Reg Clark, CEO of Rhino, said via the company website: “The work Khelo Rugby is doing is pioneering in a country such as India, they attempt to tackle serious social issues and use rugby to break down barriers. They’re a very deserving finalist in this year’s competition.”

Two more finalists will be announced before the winner is announced on 17th December 2019.

Previous winners: Rhino Grassroots Rugby Award

• 2015 TAG RUGBY TRUST (UK)
• 2016 KAMPUCHEA BALOPP (Cambodia)
• 2017 SKRUM (Swaziland)
• 2018 SHIBUYA INTERNATIONAL RUGBY CLUB (Japan)

Read about rugby development in Asia

• Global Rapid Rugby 2020 will include two Asian based teams.
• The ChildFund Pass It Back program and its roots in Asia.
• World Rugby launched the Women in Rugby campaign this year.
• Read our interview with Ada Milby and gender equality.
• Acee San Juan also tells us about rugby development and women’s rugby in Asia.