Page 21 - Unity Project

Georgia

Main aim of the project
Georgia wanted to improve the standard of both coaching and the training of coaches. The Georgian Rugby Union also
acknowledged that although a number of very good facilities were being built in the country, there were not the skilled
workers needed to maintain the grass to the level they wanted and needed in order to host major tournaments.

As a result of the work of the Unity Project 95 coaches have received training and 15 coach developers have been trained
to enable the Georgian Rugby Union to continue providing high quality coaching in-country. There is also an on-going
project in place to help train groundskeepers to deliver high quality pitches for the U20s Junior World Championships,
which they are hosting in 2017. Both the coaching and grounds keeping projects are set to have a lasting legacy on the
sport in Georgia – a country which for the first time in 2015 qualified automatically for the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

Milton Haig, Head Coach Georgian National Rugby Team

What three words best explain your experience of the Unity Project?
‘Positive, real and long term’.

Are there any lessons to learn for future legacy projects?
‘Yes, make actions and ideas practical and realistic depending on the Union’s priorities. Focus
on one or two areas as this is more realistic for results’.

Mick O’Reilly, Kent RFU

Do you think the Unity Project will have a lasting impact on rugby in Georgia?
‘Yes, yes, yes. The project will have a lasting effect due to the close relationships we have developed and nurtured
through regular contact, both personally and through social media’.