Rhino Rugby and the RAF have co-operated to donate a Premiersled scrum machine and other miscellaneous equipment and apparel to the Khelo Rugby charity in Calcutta. The machine was on display on Saturday 26th May at the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Sevens organised by the RAF at Iffley Road, Oxford.
There was a collection at the tournament towards the donation of the equipment and an auction this week at an RAF dinner, items including a signed England shirt donated by Rhino, will also contribute to this. Rhino also held a collection day in Somerset some weeks ago when displaying the 6 Nations Trophy on loan from the WRU – anyone having their photo taken with the trophy being invited to make a donation of kit to be sent out to Calcutta with the Premiersled.
The RAF Spitfires 7s team are regular visitors to the Calcutta Sevens in June, and have developed a strong relationship with Khelo Rugby, which encourages disadvantaged children to use rugby’s disciplines and camaraderie to help change their lives. Khelo is supported in turn by UK Charity Rugby Uncle, who also entered a side into the tournament consisting largely of players from Leeds and Hartpury Universities, including current Indian national fly half, Sailen Tudu, who is currently studying at Hartpury and is Khelo Rugby’s most notable success story to date.
Co-incidentally, 'The Rhinos' 7s team from the Kew Occasionals, which we sponsor, played Rugby Uncle in their opening game in Oxford before which captain Dave O’Brien presented the equipment to Sailen Tudu. The Rhinos went down in that game and to BUSA champions UWIC in their group, but went on to defeat Afghanistan in the Bowl semi final before acquitting themselves extremely well in losing 28-20 to Cambridge University in the final. Dave O’Brien inspired a great performance against his old university and with four tries apiece the game came down to The Rhinos’ inability to kick the conversions!
In the main Cup competition final Wales defeated the Henley Hawks 36-10, and in the Plate final the RAF Spitfires defeated UWIC 41-4.
The Kew Occasional Rhinos team. | |
Dave O'Brien presents Sailen Tudu with the Rhino equipment. |
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F/O Steve Mills and Flt/Lt Tim Barlow of the RAF Spitfires with the Rhino Premiersled bound for Calcutta. |