[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 78 (Thursday, May 22, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E814]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             10TH ANNIVERSARY OF WASHINGTON, DC YOUTH RUGBY

                                  _____
                                 

                       HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON

                      of the district of columbia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 22, 2014

  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask the House of 
Representatives to join me in recognizing the 10th anniversary of the 
Washington, DC Youth Rugby, a non-profit organization that reaches out 
to underserved children in the Nation's capital to promote health and 
physical fitness and teach valuable life skills through the sport of 
rugby.
  In 2004, members of the Washington Rugby Club started out with the 
goal to teach rugby to a small group of students in Northeast 
Washington, DC. What started with seven players and a rugby ball has 
evolved to over a hundred students playing rugby in the District at the 
youth and high school levels.
  Washington, DC Youth Rugby has grown from a summer-only program and 
is now working to implement rugby programs in DC schools. Washington, 
DC Youth Rugby founded a boys' team at Calvin Coolidge High School, 
which ran from 2009-2012. This year, the organization has started both 
boys' and girls' rugby teams at Bell Multicultural High School and is 
looking to start more programs in DC schools. They are currently 
working with both Washington Latin and Ballou.
  The program continues to be free to all children and has a diverse 
mix of participants, both racially and socioeconomically. This program 
makes a difference to the youth of our city in terms of health, self-
esteem, teamwork and social skills development.
  In 2012, the program welcomed the support of the Honorable Kim 
Beazley, the Australian Ambassador to the United States, as the 
honorary patron. The Ambassador recognizes the value of sport in 
international relations and the positive impact a game like rugby can 
have on young people. In recognition of the 10th anniversary, the 
Embassy of Australia will host a celebration on Thursday, May 29, 2014.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in 
thanking the coaches, volunteers, donors, partner schools, students, 
parents, and alumni as we celebrate the 10th anniversary of Washington, 
DC Youth Rugby and its many accomplishments.

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