BASIL SYLVESTER PINTO
PANAJI
With an aim of fostering community development through the festive spirit of team sport and Christmas, CrocoTRYles, one of the Rugby club franchises under the aegis of Goa Rugby introduced Fomento Resources and Eoin Gray, an Irish swimmer and rugby enthusiast to their enterprising endeavour and outreach programme through the contact sport on Friday in South Goa.
The Fomento Crocs Irish Christmas Rugby Festival began bright and early at 7.30 am at the football outfield at Agnel Ashram, Verna with CrocoTRYles warmly welcoming Joe Luis of Fomento Resources and Eoin Gray, an Irish rugby aficionado with team jerseys by the junior captains.
Thereon, Fomento Resources and Eoin Gray were introduced to the growing rugby culture of the State through a few sessions of drills and rugby sessions organised by the CrocoTRYles coaches with the various age category players, boys and girls, men and women. While the younger kids (U-12, U-14 boys and girls) got an opportunity to play touch rugby sevens, the U-16, U-18 (boys and girls), men and women showcased their skills at semi contact rugby sevens. Although the U-16s, U-18s and Seniors were full contact players they did not get into any complete tackles as this was a friendly event played with a broad smile.
By mid-morning, a group picture of the various academy teams along with their coaches and the Fomento Resources guests and Eoin Gray was taken, with the Irishman giving an encouraging pep talk to the 90 odd players of the academy present on brotherhood and well-being that develops through the sport with the wider aim for excellence.
Towards noon, the dignitaries along with the various coaches of the South Goa based academy moved farther South to the Khareband slum area of Margao for their outreach programme for the lesser privileged. There, 25 children of the community who undergo a once-in-a-week training programme in rugby were presented with chocolates and refreshments while they got an opportunity to interact and play a bit of touch rugby with their coaches and Eoin Gray as well. The programme concluded with a group picture with the guests present along with the CrocoTRYles coaches and the ever-smiling, enthusiastic slum children.
Anish Quenim, President, CrocoTRYles stated: “It is the conscious endeavour of CrocoTRYles to develop underprivileged communities through rugby and using the medium to harness their raw sporting talent into being a part of their academy one fine day. By introducing Fomento Resources and Eoin Gray, we strive to reach out in a bigger, better way.”
CrocoTRYles have adopted two community-based centres for the lesser privileged, one at Khareband, Margao and the other located at Baina, Vasco.
