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8 May 2008
Australia gives $13,784 to support sports programs in Lao schools
The Australian Government has given a sports grant to the Lao Rugby Federation (LRF) to enable the LRF to provide rugby for boys and girls in six schools, as well as to expand the program to include youth and children outside of school hours.
The sports grant for $13,784 Australian dollars is funded by the Australian Sports Commission and aims to increase community participation in sport and physical activity in Laos. Australian Ambassador, Dr Michele Forster said, 'The Australian Sports Outreach Program is also designed to address broader community issues such as health, promotion, leadership and social cohesion through sport and physical activity. We congratulate the Lao Rugby Federation for developing a rugby program that encourages young people to get active and have fun at the same time."
The LRF programme provides rugby in a safe and structured environment that promotes learning opportunities and healthy living messages for participants. Coaching in schools is delivered by Lao Rugby Development Officers, all of whom provide positive role models for students participating in the programme. Many of these Officers have also represented the Lao PDR at an international level.
In addition to the coaching taking place in schools, the LRF also facilitates regular competition between school teams and this year will develop a district level ‘Australian Government Supports Rugby in Lao Schools’ competition to allow students from different schools to participate in training and competition together. The President of the Lao Rugby Federation, Mr Yong Satchapansy, thanked the Australian Government, in particular the Australian Sports Commission for their generous support for rugby development in the Lao PDR.