CI News sponsors rippa rugby

Well over 600 kids will rip into action tomorrow at the one-day Cook Islands News Rarotonga Primary Schools rippa rugby tournament.

The national daily newspaper has jumped on board with a sponsorship of $2700 for the annual event which will be used for the running of the tournament, continued development of rippa rugby on Rarotonga and the outer islands as well as assisting the Cook Islands Rugby Union to bring outer island trainers to Rarotonga.

We are sponsoring rippa rugby because its a wonderful non-contact way of introducing kids to the greatest sport on earth, says Cook Islands News managing editor John Woods.

As we heard from Jonah Lomu sevens rugby has huge potential internationally and for the Cook Islands.

Cook Islands Rugby Union chief executive officer Ben Koteka is thrilled with the sponsorship by the daily newspaper as he says that companys contribution will be used to grow the cross gender grass root level game of rippa rugby in the Cook Islands.

The Cook Islands News sponsorhip is gratefully accepted and used to continually grow and develop the game of rippa rugby on Rarotonga and extending to the outer islands, says Koteka.

On Tuesday, July 19, 9 schools making up 38 teams will don their rippa tags and take to Raemaru Park for a full on day of rippa rugby action.

Boys, girls and mixed teams from Avarua School, Arorangi School, Nikao Maori School, Papaaroa College, Avatea School, Nukutere College, Te Uki Ou School,Titikaveka College and Imanuela Akatemia School will take part in the tournament starting at 8.30am on Tuesday, July 19.

The object of rippa rugby is to score a try by placing the ball with downward pressure behind or on the opponents goal line. A try is worth five points.

To prevent a try being scored the defenders must rip the flag from the belt of the ball carrier. This forces the ball carrier to pass the ball. Six rips against the attacking team in one set of possession results in the ball being turned over to the defending team.