Tongan Primary School sports programs are further supported by a donation of rugby gear from a sports charity SOS Kit, presented today through the British High Commission in Tonga. It follows development clinics and training held in the outer islands last year.

British Deputy High Commissioner, Simon Minshull presented the gear to the Ministry of Education.

This is part of a partnership between Tonga Rugby Union (TRU) and the British High Commission to empower the Ministry of Education to implement rugby into the Primary School level sports program.

With an existing infrastructure, the Youth in Union is working within the Tonga Rugby Development Programme, to strengthen the Ministry’s Sports Division with gear and capacity building of physical education teachers through training.  

TRU said the three pronged approach to this program consisted of the rugby gear and equipment, coaching clinics and training camps.

The Youth in Union Program goals aligned with the Ministry of Education's objective to develop the talent of Tonga's youth through health and sports to stay fit.

Meanwhile, development camps and clinics were run last year in the Vava’u group, Ha’apai Group and ‘Eua, said TRU.

Attending the event was the Deputy CEO of the Ministry of Education for Primary School, Hepeti Takeifanga, Ministry of Education Sports Officer, Primary Schools, Heimuli Pangai, TRU CEO Peter Harding, TRU Head of Physical Performace Semisi Fonua and TRY, Development Manager Richard Talia’uli.