Introducing rugby to schools in the Lao PDR is the LRF's main vehicle for rugby development. The Federation understand the importance of providing the opportunity to be involved in the sport to children from a young age. The aim of the programme is to provide a safe, structured and fun environment for boys and girls to learn the sport of rugby in schools. There is a strong focus on enjoyment, basic skills development and ensuring that children have the opportunity to interact with each other and to learn skills and values that they can apply in later life, regardless of whether they play rugby or not.
The enthusiasm shown to the sport in schools is significant, with the major barrier to expansion of the programme being financial. The LRF is currently working in five schools every week providing a Lao Rugby Development Officer to work with boys and girls. Sessions are regularly attended by between 15 and 30 students, depending on the time of year, aged 11 and up. The LRF also organises monthly rugby carnivals to ensure that the skills learnt during coaching sessions can be applied to game situations; the competitions are always keenly fought and a highlight on the Lao PDR domestic rugby calendar. 2007 has also seen the introduction of women's contact sevens into the carnival competition by teams made up of students and recent graduates from High School; many of whom will hopefully feed into senior club and representative rugby.
The high levels of engagement by school children in the LRF programme highlights the genuine interest in rugby here in the Lao PDR and although the fruits of the school's programme will not be seen at the senior level for a number of years, the LRF is confident that this long-term approach of including schools will pay dividends in years to come.
