27 Sep 2012

NZRU to send coaches to Israel and Palestine

5:36 pm on 27 September 2012

The New Zealand Rugby Union is sending two specialist coaches to Israel and the Palestinian Territories to develop the game in the region.

The visit is being co-ordinated by the Israel Rugby Union with assistance from New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

The Rugby Union's talent identification manager Chris Stirling and game development manager Richard Skelly will conduct a week of coaching clinics in Israel and Palestine in early October.

The union says it is delighted to respond to a request for assistance from Israel, where the game is growing in popularity with about 1000 players registered to 15 clubs.

The Israeli Rugby Union says it could only dream of hosting top coaches from New Zealand, who will hold training clinics for domestic players and coaches.

The New Zealanders will also help to prepare the Israeli national team, ranked 56 in the world, for its European Nations Cup clash with Serbia on 13 October as part of qualifying for the 2015 World Cup.