All Roads Lead to Rome for Schoey
Rugby League legend Garry Schofield OBE has accepted the challenge of becoming Director of Rugby for a forthcoming BARA (British Asian Rugby Association) tour of Italy which could involve a meeting with the Pope!
The BARA team will take on the Federation Italian Rugby Football League (FIRFL) XIII in Rome on May 16 with the two teams playing for the White Ribbon Trophy and are in the process of trying to arrange a meeting with the Pontiff in the Vatican.
The match and possible Papal meeting forms part of BARA’s support for the White Ribbon Campaign, a global initiative made up of men speaking out against violence towards women and girls as well as encouraging interfaith dialogue.
The BARA team will be wearing a special jersey deigned in support of the campaign and have been working in close collaboration with FIRFL on a number of initiatives including raising awareness of the White Ribbon Campaign in Italy.
Garry Schofield said: “I’m honoured to be involved in this pioneering tour to a nation that is fast developing in terms of Rugby League. We will be promoting some very positive messages wherever we go that only increase the importance and relevance of such a venture.”
Ikram Butt, BARA founder and former England Rugby League international, commented: “We’re delighted to have such a well known Rugby League name as Schoey leading such a pioneering tour and are actively putting in the work behind the scenes to gain an audience with the Pope.
“Pierluigi Gentile, Secretary General of FIRFL, has been instrumental in the development of the 13-a-side code in Italy and has overseen a significant increase in players from 300 to over 4,000 active players over the past five years.
“His stewardship has also led to the introduction of a championship league along with the Italian Cup and has been the driving force behind FIRFL’s efforts to become affiliated to CONI, the Italian National Olympic committee which will be granted by the end of the year.
“Both the hosts and BARA will unite to promote the shared values peace, tolerance and community harmony through sport and those will be the messages we could take to the Vatican,” added Ikram.
Included in the tour party will be Chris Green, founder of White Ribbon UK and a UN Ambassador and Qari Asim, recently awarded with an MBE and an honorary doctorate for his ground breaking services in enhancing community relations and work in engaging young people.
The match and possible Papal meeting forms part of BARA’s support for the White Ribbon Campaign, a global initiative made up of men speaking out against violence towards women and girls as well as encouraging interfaith dialogue.
The BARA team will be wearing a special jersey deigned in support of the campaign and have been working in close collaboration with FIRFL on a number of initiatives including raising awareness of the White Ribbon Campaign in Italy.
Garry Schofield said: “I’m honoured to be involved in this pioneering tour to a nation that is fast developing in terms of Rugby League. We will be promoting some very positive messages wherever we go that only increase the importance and relevance of such a venture.”
Ikram Butt, BARA founder and former England Rugby League international, commented: “We’re delighted to have such a well known Rugby League name as Schoey leading such a pioneering tour and are actively putting in the work behind the scenes to gain an audience with the Pope.
“Pierluigi Gentile, Secretary General of FIRFL, has been instrumental in the development of the 13-a-side code in Italy and has overseen a significant increase in players from 300 to over 4,000 active players over the past five years.
“His stewardship has also led to the introduction of a championship league along with the Italian Cup and has been the driving force behind FIRFL’s efforts to become affiliated to CONI, the Italian National Olympic committee which will be granted by the end of the year.
“Both the hosts and BARA will unite to promote the shared values peace, tolerance and community harmony through sport and those will be the messages we could take to the Vatican,” added Ikram.
Included in the tour party will be Chris Green, founder of White Ribbon UK and a UN Ambassador and Qari Asim, recently awarded with an MBE and an honorary doctorate for his ground breaking services in enhancing community relations and work in engaging young people.
Butt continued “As part of the rugby development tour, Qari Asim will deliver a seminar on the benefits of sport and faith with Chris Green also delivering a seminar on the White Ribbon Campaign.
Pierluigi Gentile said: ‘We are delighted to be hosting BARA in Rome this May to play against our International team in what promises to be an auspicious occasion. FIRFL share the same values as BARA in using the sport of Rugby League as a social means to engage with the wider communities and address important issues such as the White Ribbon Campaign.’
Established in 2004 by dual code international Ikram Butt (England Rugby League and Pakistan Rugby Union), BARA has been a force for good in terms of promoting community cohesion across the UK through both codes of the oval ball game.
Pierluigi Gentile said: ‘We are delighted to be hosting BARA in Rome this May to play against our International team in what promises to be an auspicious occasion. FIRFL share the same values as BARA in using the sport of Rugby League as a social means to engage with the wider communities and address important issues such as the White Ribbon Campaign.’
Established in 2004 by dual code international Ikram Butt (England Rugby League and Pakistan Rugby Union), BARA has been a force for good in terms of promoting community cohesion across the UK through both codes of the oval ball game.
BARA is an organisation which aims to provide positive role models, break down cultural & religious barriers, promote community integration, personal development, healthy living and encouraging participation in sport & physical activity especially through rugby.
