KISS and TRDT have been working together since the first TRDT Tour in 2006. The partnership between KISS and TRDT has been a very natural fit. KISS have a plentiful supply of children of all ages that are keen to learn new sporting activities and TRDT run a Tag Rugby programme that provides this opportunity to over 800 children per Tour.

KISS and TRDT we introduced through Paul Walsh (Jungle Crows) in 2005, and TRDT Chairman Martin Hansford first visited Bhubaneswar for a planning trip in 2005. “It was instantly obvious to me that using KISS as a beacon school in Bhubaneswar would provide a fantastic basis upon which to launch Junior Rugby development in Orissa”. A crucial part of making rugby successful in the area has been the excellent co-operation of Upendra Mohanty (Orissa Rugby) with the CEO and staff of KISS.

Three Tours to Bhubaneswar have been completed now and it is really encouraging to see the number of boys and girls who continue to play rugby outside TRDT Tour time. So impressive is the take up of the sport that KISS has had international recognition through Tours to the UK and Australia. The KISS team is well known throughout Orissa, and has really put Junior Rugby on the map in India

As reward for such focus on development, the Indian RFU have awarded the inaugural All India U-16 Tournament to be hosted by KISS.

Investment in the game is clear to see. KISS now has a fully grassed pitch within the grounds of the school and has plans to develop a Rugby Academy within the KIIT University campus. In addition to facilities KISS has enrolled additional coaching staff to help develop rugby beyond the Tag form of the game. Between them, Prashanta Routray, Rudrakesh Jena, Basanta Behera and the coaches Roshan and Prince, KISS looks to have a sound future in all forms of Rugby. I wonder how long it will be before a KISSian pulls on a rugby jersey to represent India ?

For more information about the Tag Rugby Development Trust and to see images of all their Tours to India, visit their website at www.trdt.co.uk.