Rwandan Team
Tharcisse Kamanda - Programme Manager
Played Rugby since 2002 at Shyogwe Secondary School, trained by a voluntary British teacher and coach Emma Rees. Started coaching and refereeing in 2004 especially in schools and my dream is to promote this sport all over Rwanda in order to build our unity destroyed by Genocide of 1994 though competitions and games. We should be helping kids and orphans to forget the past and build the future of Rwanda.
Muvunyi Mathieu - Rugby Development Officer, Ruhango, Southern Province
 I played in the under 18 National Rwandan Rugby team and I am now a rugby coach in the South Province. My objective is to develop rugby as a game in Rwanda, I like rugby because it makes me happy when I play it, and I like a game that asks for much energy. In the future I hope to see all people try to play it.
Sibomana Alexis - Rugby Development Officer, Gicumbi, Northern Province
 I have played rugby since 2006 when I was in secondary school. From 2008 I have coached and refereed the game in Northern schools. Now there is a new club at my University where I coach and play called TCT Jaguar. I love to play rugby because it is a fantastic game and requires more thinking (technical knowledge) than other games. I also like TAG because it is a game that can be played by everyone (no other game is played by mixed players). I hope we get a good league with many schools and encourage local people to form many clubs and we are able to assist girls with a national league.
Hakizimana Laurien - Rugby Development Officer, Muhanga, Southern Province
I have been playing rugby since 2003 and my coach saw my potential and promoted me. Afterwards I continued my rugby career in the clubs. I started to coach in 2008 - it brings me such joy while playing rugby. It is also very useful in strengthening the muscles of body and makes me physically fit and that empowers me to help our youth to know more about the game. I would like to see rugby develop all over the country in boys & girls and that pushes me to looking forward with hope that at some time the fans will come to the stadium (pitch) as it is in football.
Cyubahiro Uwimana Jean Pierre – Rwamagana, Eastern Province
I started to play Rugby since 2008 when I was a student in the Nyanza District, South province. Playing Rugby makes me happy and I enjoy it, that why I took a decision to teach others Rwandan young children (Boys and girls). My main objective is to make it very popular game through to the competitions.
Mudaheranwa Jean Claude - Huye, Southern Province
I started my Rugby in 2008 when I arrived at school in Kabgayi and participated in the East African school Games in 2011. I was then recruited by Muhanga RFC in 2010, which is my team until now. Apart from my history in Rugby, It makes me be connected with many people not only in Rwanda but also all over the world especially in UK where it is well developed. In truth, since I started Rugby, I gained many important friends and in addition to that I love the way Rugby men have strong love among them. That is why I love Rugby as my favourite game and I must encourage people to play it and emphasize it especially in little ones in order to develop it in Rwanda.
Uwitonze Felix – Gakenke, Northern Province
I started playing rugby in 2006 while I was in S4 at Group Scolaire Saint Joseph, Kabgayi. After ending my secondary studies, I played for Sharks Rugby Club in 2009 and NUR Grizzlies Rugby Club from 2010 until now. I have rugby coaching skills and a Level 1 qualification that I got during the three-day training with the International Rugby Board trainers at Remera-Amahoro National Stadium, in 2010. My heart imposes me to play a role in Rwandan rugby development and as this charity, Friends of Rwandan Rugby, is primarily interested in development for Rwandan Primary and Secondary School students, I expect that working with it will increase the number of Rwandans who are skilled in rugby and enjoy it. All our work will help the Rwandan National Rugby League (for both juniors and seniors) and the National Rugby Team to be strong and competitive internationally.
Committee
Emma Rees - Trustee
 I entered the world of rugby as a student at Aberystwyth University and began my rugby career intensively playing for both university and town clubs. I left Wales in 2001 to live and work as a VSO volunteer and English Teacher in Rwanda. I was shocked and disappointed to learn that the students in my school had never heard of the game of rugby. I decided to introduce a rugby team in the school I taught at to enable me to develop my coaching skills in a challenging environment, and continue to play alongside the students. This experience began a journey leading to the establishment of a registered charity in the UK, Friends of Rwandan Rugby.
Deena Aiken - Trustee
Having played, coached and refereed rugby since 1994 I feel really lucky to be able to assist the development and growth of our sport in this amazing country. The joy that I receive from helping kids gain access to rugby re-enforces my commitment long term. I dream of a functioning club house on a dedicated rugby pitch which will be open to rugby teams of boys and girls from all over Rwanda.
Danny Stoker - Trustee
 I became involved with FoRR while I was working in overseas aid for the Department for International Development. I was particularly interested in the unifying quality of rugby and how it has the potential to challenge prejudices. Although I haven’t played the game for a few years, it was a huge part of my teenage life and some of my best mates are the guys I met on the rugby field. In 2010 I was delighted to visit Rwanda and see firsthand the enthusiasm for the game and potential for growth.
Darren Ead - Trustee
 Having played rugby for many years as well as coaching and refereeing, its nice to give something back. Having heard of the great work FoRR were doing in Rwanda i signed up for a tour. The amazing sight of so many children having so much fun playing the sport I love will live with me forever. I'm now a very proud trustee and tour organiser for FoRR.
Caroline Lavin - Trustee
 As a keen rugby player myself I was fortunate to visit Rwanda in 2008 and got to experience 1st hand the amazing excitement and enthusiasm from children, many of whom had never even seen a rugby ball before. I am honored to be a trustee of this fantastic charity and fully support all the work FORR does to unite children in this beautiful country through rugby.
Colin Rees - Trustee
 With a love of rugby as a game since school days (second row forward) , I was delighted to hear my business and marketing background might be of use to FoRR. Having visited Rwanda and seen the work FoRR does, the sheer delight on the faces of the kids in training they couldn't get anywhere else, the supreme poverty and hardship some have seen, it is impossible not to want to do something. I am honoured to serve as a Trustee.
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