Rugby Union holds second annual general meeting |27 January 2023

The meeting in progress

The second annual general meeting of the Seychelles Rugby Union (‘the Union’) took place recently at the Boardwalk, Eden Island and was opened by the chair, Luke Fonseka.

Mr Fonseka welcomed the participants to the meeting. He then thanked the National Sports Council (NSC) and Cable & Wireless (league sponsors) for attending the meeting and extended his gratitude to the owners of the Boardwalk for providing the venue.

The chair then introduced the current Union board members and thanked them for their support during a very busy and productive year.

He also reiterated the core values of the Union, namely teamwork, respect, enjoyment, discipline and sportsmanship.

He noted that it was the senior members’ responsibility to live and display these values and be of examples to the club youths.

The chair began his report by reflecting on what had been achieved during 2022. He noted that the board had met regularly throughout 2022 to discuss key issues affecting the Union and deliberated on them and planning and execution of the Union’s activities.

The chair was proud to inform the participants that several goals had been achieved in 2022, namely:

• Successfully holding the Takamaka Cup. One of the first sports tournaments to be held post-Covid;
• Continued youth development and growth of the game;
• Development of the official partnership with the KwaZulu-Natal Rugby Union;
• Coaching courses delivered to local school physical education (PE) teachers;
• Developing the social media platforms;
• The successful establishment of an annual league (the C&W INC) and its rapid growth and expansion from four teams in 2022 to six teams in 2023;
• The appointment of a full-time league commissioner (Mr Holm);
• The establishment of an official kit supplier (Optimum);
• The hosting of two full contact rugby matches against visiting French and British navy crews;
• A very successful and well attended end-of-year gala dinner;
• The donation to an International School of the Seychelles teacher to facilitate her expatriation and rehabilitation to the UK and Ireland.

The chairman commented that “2022 has been a great year for the development and growth of rugby in Seychelles, this past year’s achievements have come down to a motivated and well-driven committee, and the support of our committed sponsor Cable & Wireless.

Lastly the chair presented the proposed aspirations and intentions for 2023. These were:

• To continue the relationship with the sponsors of the INC (C & W) and secure future commitment for the continuation of the league beyond 2023.
• Grow the number of local adult players in the Union. An incentive for local players to join the Union would be the possibility of their selection to represent Seychelles at the upcoming Indian Ocean Islands Games.
• The chair noted that the Union would be collaborating with the NSC in a talent identification programme. The aim of the programme is to look at players on the margins of other sports who may not be achieving their goals in those sports and encouraging them to switch to rugby to maximise their talents.
• The introduction of more full contact rugby games and associated training. The chair noted that a good intermediate step would be the introduction of tag rugby, possibly starting with one tag rugby practice a month and trialing a possible tag rugby tournament.
• To become full members of Rugby Africa. The chair noted that the Union is currently and associate member of Rugby Africa, but the application has been made to become a full member.
• To grow youth rugby throughout the islands, with a future focus on Praslin and La Digue, working with the schools there.

The chair once again thanked all the participants for attending the second AGM of the Union. He also reiterated his thanks to the Boardwalk for hosting the meeting and the Committee for their work in organising the AGM. The meeting was then officially closed.

To get involved with Seychelles Rugby come down to the Mont Fleuri sports field on Wednesday afternoon at 5pm or email us on seychellesrugby@gmail.com. Additionally there is an Instagram account with lots of information, follow at @seychellesrugby.

Contributed