Romania
ROMANIAN PRESIDENT PRAISES WORK OF SOS IRB KIT AID
President George Straton writes :-"There are many close contacts between the IRB, the English RFU and Romanian rugby(FRR). I cannot speak about the relationships between the RFU and FRR without remembering SOS IRB Kit Aid(formerly SOS Romania - Kit Aid), sponsored by the International Rugby Board. SOS are doing a great job in Romania and many Romanian rugby schools can now play rugby because of SOS . Thank'a a lot SOS !
We have to build a strong future and we have already started. We realise that the future belongs to our mini rugby and schools players
RUGBY IN ROMANIA
Under dictator President Ceauchescu rugby was state funded and in the '80's over 10,000 played rugby in Romania. National team had notable victories(inc Wales) and rugby was really going places. Funding stopped with dictator's overthrow and numbers dropped to around 2000.
Today rugby in Romania is growing again under the Presidency of Octavian Morariu and player numbers are back up to 3500+ with 52 rugby clubs and rugby being reintroduced slowly back into schools.
FACTS ABOUT ROMANIA
Population - 22.4 million
Area - 91,669 square miles
Languages - Romanian/Hungarian
Head of State - President Ion Illiescu
GDP per capita - U$ 4,360(UK U$24,228)
Economy - 40% of GDP is Oil,Natural Gas,mineral resources.Agriculture employs 29% of the workforce.
Romania is world's second largest producer of plums and ninth largest producer of wine. However unemployment and foreign debt remains high, hindering economic reform. In 1995 applied to be member of European Union.Possible entry in 2007.
WHY NOT TOUR ROMANIA ?
If you are looking for great rugby and a chance to open your pupils' eyes to a new cultural and social experience then think about a rugby tour to Romania or one of the other SOS countries.
SOS countries are desperate to improve their rugby by playing visiting teams and you will receive a very warm welcome. Air fares are now quite cheap to Bucharest for example and the cost of living once out there gives very good value for money
SOS has extensive contacts with the Rugby Federations in SOS countries and can recommend two UK rugby tour companies who can organise your Tour for you. Just get in contact with SOS via this website if you want more details !
ROSE TANNER PRAISES SOS WORK IN ROMANIA
Rose, organiser of the highly successful Rosslyn Pk National Schools Festival and SOS Regional Kit co-ordinator in Kent recently saw for herself the progress that SOS is making in helping develop Romanian junior rugby in a recent visit to Bucharest.
"Youth rugby in Romania is in fine form.Youngsters have the option in Romania of either attending school from 7am to 1pm or 2.30pm to 7pm.Those keen on rugby go from 7am to 1pm and then they can train in the afternoons - rather a good system" said Rose !
" I was frankly amazed at the dedication of the people who are encouraging young boys and girls to play the game. I was overwhelmed by the friendliness of the Federation members , the coaches, referees and other people in the rugby fraternity but also by their ability to set high standards and goals with little financial resources.
SOS is obviously achieving a great deal of success in providing young players with kit and equipment - evident by the names of UK schools on their shirts.Just by watching them train and talking to some of them I could see the enthusiasm and happiness of being part of a team with their friends.
However there needs to be more financial support to provide qualified coaches and referees. A rugby fraternity such as exists in Romania surely deserves a great deal of support to achieve their goals.
Everyone I met is immensely proud of their National Team being in the Rugby World Cup and aspires to follow in their heroes footsteps"
For further information on Romainaon rugby visit there website:
http://www.rugby.ro
