Grassroots Rugby drive trains over 100 youth, talent hunt begins for U-18 nationals
Shimla, June 12
A major grassroots rugby development programme is gaining momentum in Himachal Pradesh, with more than 100 young players receiving training through district-level camps as the Rugby Association Himachal Pradesh (RAHP) intensifies efforts to identify talent for the state’s Under-18 team for the upcoming National Rugby Championship.
Supported by SJVN, the Rugby Development Camp initiative has so far been conducted in Nalagarh and Mandi districts, attracting enthusiastic participation from boys and girls. Around 60 youngsters attended the camp at Doon Public School, Nalagarh, while nearly 50 players took part in the Mandi camp. In total, about 105 participants, including nearly 25 girls and 80 boys, have undergone basic contact rugby training.
The programme aims to strengthen rugby at the grassroots level and provide a structured pathway for talented players to represent Himachal Pradesh in national competitions. Besides training young athletes, the camps are also educating physical training instructors (PTIs), sports teachers and coaches about rugby rules, coaching techniques and player development.
During his visit to the Mandi camp, Nachan MLA Vinod Kumar lauded the efforts of the District Rugby Association Mandi in promoting the sport. Stressing the importance of sports in steering youth away from drug abuse, he said sporting activities offer a positive and productive direction to young people. He also assured his support for the growth of rugby in the region.
RAHP General Secretary Vishal Sarin said the camps are being conducted completely free of cost and are focused on making rugby an affordable, inclusive and accessible sport across Himachal Pradesh.
The next phase of the programme will see camps organised at Nirmand in Kullu district on June 15-16, Bilaspur on June 16-17, followed by a camp in Shimla.
As part of the talent identification process, up to eight promising boys and girls from each district camp will be shortlisted for final selection trials in Shimla on June 21. The selected players will form the Himachal Pradesh Under-18 Rugby Team for the National Rugby Championship to be held in Hyderabad, Telangana, during the first and second weeks of July.
RAHP officials expressed confidence that the initiative would help build a strong foundation for rugby in the state by increasing participation, identifying talent at an early stage and creating a sustainable player development system.
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