• UK
  • 01:49 26 Nov 2009
  • |    Kyiv
  • 03:49 26 Nov 2009

4 October

Rugby Power. A brilliant sunny day in Kyiv and I'm delighted to be invited to present the prizes at the end of the 6th John Marsh Memorial Youth Rugby Tournament at the Spartak Stadium in Kyiv.  Eight teams are participating in the Rugby 7s tournament, drawn from Ukraine and the surrounding region. The standard of the games I watch is high. The final is between "Doverye", a Russian team from Zelenograd, near Moscow, and "Eager" of Kyiv.  It's thrilling, end-to-end stuff and the lead changes hands several time before Zelenograd run out worthy winners.  The players on both sides are exhausted but exhilarated.  One of the coaches tells me he and his team are delighted to have had a chance to come to Kyiv and participate.  After speeches and the presentation of trophies and prizes, the captains of the teams run together to the end of the field and haul down the Ukrainian flag, standing to attention while the national anthem is played to mark the close of the tournament.  It's inspiring stuff; and all made possible by a group of rugby enthusiasts in Kyiv, both Ukrainian and expatriate, who contribute time, sponsorship, energy or all three to make the tournament happen.  It's a terrific example of how international sport and person-to-person contacts can create a worthwhile and enjoyable event, and how an initiative pursued by a group of individuals really can make a difference to people's lives. 

John Marsh Ukrainian Rugby Youth Tournament




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