Latest news with #RPL
India Gazette
17 hours ago
- Sport
- India Gazette
"Allows India to dream": Kalinga Black Tigers coach Mike Friday shares his excitement for the inaugural edition of RPL
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], June 7 (ANI): Kalinga Black Tigers head coach Mike Friday hailed the Rugby Premier League (RPL) as a groundbreaking platform blending international excellence with domestic talent to help India's rugby dream flourish, according to a release from RPL. A former rugby sevens player himself, Mike Friday proceeded to become England Sevens' most successful coach to date, leading them to 10 titles during his tenure, while also securing a Commonwealth Games silver medal in 2006. He has also played a significant role in building legacies across the teams he has coached, including Kenya Sevens' and USA Sevens' teams. Now taking up a new challenge at the RPL, he described the league's unique appeal, stating, 'It's a very innovative format, a perfect balance between international players and domestic players. When you're trying to grow the sport and build capability, it's crucial to include domestic players in that development. It's a fantastic experience for them, not only in game time but more importantly in training time,' as quoted from a release by RPL. He explained how Indian players will benefit from the exposure they'll get throughout the tournament. 'During training, they get exposed to physical, technical, tactical and mental development from the senior international players which they can then take back to their team and to the next generation of Indian players', Friday reckoned. 'I love that cradle-to-grave idea - creating the legacy for Indian players tomorrow. I think that's what the RPL provides, allowing India to dare to dream and achieve their Olympic dream', he added. Asked about coaching in this league format with top players who don't often play together, Friday called the experience, 'Unique, and one that will come with lifetime memories.' 'Players who normally go head-to-head, country against country, come together to represent their region and the Indians of today and tomorrow. It's a special honour. We're here for a reason - not just to win, but to inspire Indian rugby players and help them become the best versions of themselves. That is humbling and very exciting,' he said. On the emerging domestic talent, Friday praised young players' resilience, especially Arjun Mahato. 'It's very hard for Indian players. On occasions, they've been thrown into the deep end, going under the water a lot. But the challenge is to survive in the deep water. They're improving every session. I tell them: you have to get it wrong to get it right - that's what they're doing and learning,' he added. He singled out Arjun for rising to the challenge, saying, 'He's confident, knows what to do, but more importantly he's ready to discuss why. That's half the challenge. Indian players tend to wait to be told what to do, but they need to understand why we do it. Then they can teach rather than just be taught. Arjun is already embracing that.' On the league's organization and facilities, Friday was effusive in praise. 'The league has done fantastically well. It's easy to look from the outside and think it's simple, but there's so much behind-the-scenes business. The RPL has done extremely well. There's been fantastic work getting all the owners on board and bringing in the best players and coaches in the world,' he noted. 'We're excited, inspired, and ready to add to a legacy. Kudos to to India Rugby', Friday concluded. (ANI)
New Indian Express
19 hours ago
- Sport
- New Indian Express
Rugby Premier League: Kalinga Black Tigers unveil jersey and mascot
BHUBANESWAR: The Kalinga Black Tigers (KBT), one of the Rugby Premier League (RPL) founding teams, unveiled its jersey and mascot 'Paika' here at Kalinga Stadium on Saturday. The RPL, world's first franchise-based Rugby 7s league, is set to begin on June 15 at the Andheri Sports Complex (Mumbai Football Arena, MFA). Besides Kalinga Black Tigers, the other teams are Bengaluru Bravehearts, Chennai Bulls, Delhi Redz, Hyderabad Heroes and Mumbai Dreamers. Backed by Hunch Ventures, an investment firm deeply rooted in Odisha, KBT embodies a broader vision for the state's development and recognition on the national stage. The team composition will be 13 players including five overseas players in a team and the 7-a-side match will be 16 minutes (22 minutes in total including breaks), which will be played in four quarters. Rugby India president Rahul Bose, who was present during the occasion, said, "This is a league that's been six years in the making, but we wanted to do everything right. Thanks to World Rugby, who gave us a 15-day window in which no international rugby 7s would be played anywhere in the world. We are in the process of introducing Women Rugby Premier League in the future." Talking about Odisha's contribution towards Indian rugby, Rahul added, "the State played a vital role for the development of various sports in our country. The rugby teams of the state always made podium finishes in the national tournament. It gives the RPL Governing council great happiness that the league has a team from the state of Odisha." The team has lofty ambitions ahead of the inaugural season. Head coach Mike Friday felt that this league will be a good platform for the local players to evolve. "We will get two weeks of training season with the overseas players. It will provide ample opportunities for the Indian players to grow and learn the international theme of rugby sports." Odisha Deputy Chief Minister KV Singh Deo graced the occasion as the chief guest. Odisha Rugby Football Association (ORFA) president Priyadarshi Mishra, ORFA secretary Upendra Kumar Mohanty, Founder of Hunch Ventures and KBT Co-owner Karanpal Singh, KBT assistant coach Rajeev Nath and some of the KBT players were also present. RPL Format Teams: 6 Venue: 1 (Andheri Sports Complex, Mumbai) Matchdays: 15 Matches: 34 Match Duration: 22 Weekdays: 2 matches per night Weekends: 3 matches per night Tournament Dates: June 15-29 Live on Star Sports Network
Hans India
a day ago
- Sport
- Hans India
Rugby Premier League creates chance for India to achieve Olympic dream, says Kalinga Black Tigers coach Mike Friday
Mumbai: Kalinga Black Tigers head coach Mike Friday hailed the Rugby Premier League (RPL) as a groundbreaking platform blending international excellence with domestic talent to help India's rugby dream flourish. A former rugby sevens player himself, Mike Friday proceeded to become England Sevens' most successful coach to date, leading them to 10 titles during his tenure, while also securing a Commonwealth Games silver medal in 2006. He has also played a significant role in building legacies across the teams he has coached, including the Kenya Sevens and the USA Sevens teams. Now taking up a new challenge at the GMR RPL, he described the league's unique appeal, stating, 'It's a very innovative format, a perfect balance between international players and domestic players. When you're trying to grow the sport and build capability, it's crucial to include domestic players in that development. It's a fantastic experience for them, not only in-game time but more importantly in training time.' He explained how Indian players will benefit from the exposure they'll get throughout the tournament. 'During training, they get exposed to physical, technical, tactical and mental development from the senior international players, which they can then take back to their team and the next generation of Indian players," Friday reckoned. 'I love that cradle-to-grave idea - creating the legacy for Indian players tomorrow. I think that's what the RPL provides, allowing India to dare to dream and achieve their Olympic dream," he added. Asked about coaching in this league format with top players who don't often play together, Friday called the experience 'unique, and one that will come with lifetime memories.' 'Players who normally go head-to-head, country against country, come together to represent their region and the Indians of today and tomorrow. It's a special honour. We're here for a reason - not just to win, but to inspire Indian rugby players and help them become the best versions of themselves. That is humbling and very exciting.' On the emerging domestic talent, Friday praised young players' resilience, especially Arjun Mahato. 'It's very hard for Indian players. On occasions, they've been thrown into the deep end, going under the water a lot. But the challenge is to survive in the deep water. They're improving every session. I tell them: you have to get it wrong to get it right - that's what they're doing and learning.' He singled out Arjun for rising to the challenge, saying, 'He's confident, knows what to do, but more importantly, he's ready to discuss why. That's half the challenge. Indian players tend to wait to be told what to do, but they need to understand why we do it. Then they can teach rather than just be taught. Arjun is already embracing that.' On the league's organisation and facilities, Friday was effusive in praise. 'The league has done fantastically well. It's easy to look from the outside and think it's simple, but there's so much behind-the-scenes business. The RPL has done extremely well. There's been fantastic work getting all the owners on board and bringing in the best players and coaches in the world.' 'We're excited, inspired, and ready to add to a legacy. Kudos to RPL, kudos to GMR, kudos to India Rugby," Friday concluded.
The Print
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Print
Fans disappointed in Rajasthan Cricket Association, govt mute spectator: Gehlot
Gehlot wrote on 'X' that ever since the Bharatiya Janata Party government came to power in the state, there has been a feeling of great disappointment among cricket lovers due to the ongoing disputes in the Rajasthan Cricket Association. In a post on X, he claimed that disputes are ongoing in the ad hoc committee, the sports council and the sports department but the state government is a 'mute spectator'. Jaipur, Jun 6 (PTI) Former chief minister Ashok Gehlot said on Friday that cricket lovers are disappointed in the Rajasthan Cricket Association after the government failed to conduct elections. The government formed an ad hoc committee in RCA, but due to the ongoing disputes, even organising IPL here became challenging, he claimed. Legally, the ad hoc committee is only for three months during which elections have to be held, but elections have not been held for one and a half years, Gehlot said in his post. Referring to the tenure of his son Vaibhav Gehlot as RCA president, the former chief minister said, 'During Vaibhav Gehlot's tenure as president, RCA was discussed for positive works. After 2019, the ban imposed on RCA by BCCI was lifted, international and IPL matches started being organised in Rajasthan, and state-level cricket competitions including RPL were organised.' He said that during this time, the construction of one of the world's largest cricket stadiums near Jaipur started with Vedanta Group. The work of this stadium has also stopped now. Gehlot wrote, 'Keeping in mind the future of cricket and cricket players of Rajasthan and the sentiments of millions of cricket lovers, the state government should intervene and stop the terrible conflict going on in RCA so that cricket can develop in Rajasthan.' PTI AG HIG HIG This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
India Gazette
2 days ago
- Sport
- India Gazette
"It's a big opportunity for Indian players": Indian Rugby player Aakash Balmiki on inaugural edition of RPL
New Delhi [India] June 6 (ANI): Mumbai Dreamers player Aakash Balmiki believes that the inaugural edition of the Rugby Premier League (RPL) in India is a significant opportunity for Indian players to elevate the game. He notes that the game is widely recognised in the country, providing a great platform to encourage players and increase their involvement. 'I think for the Indian players, it's a big opportunity for us, you know, to take this game to the next level. Everybody knows about this game in the country. And you know, it's really good platform that every player will get encouraged that they want to be part of it and get involved with it,' Aakash Balmiki told ANI. Indian Rugby Football Union, the RPL is the first franchise-based league in the world and will have six founding franchises in the opening edition. The League will kick off from June 15 to 29, 2025, at the Andheri Sports Complex in Mumbai. He reflected on the Mumbai Dreamers environment, how coaches have created a welcoming atmosphere, and how British players share their experience and playing style with them so that all the players can match up. 'It's like a very comfortable environment coaches and the team have created for us. And it's like very comfortable, like everybody's like helping each other, especially the players have come from, you know, the series and the British players like very welcoming. And, you know, they're sharing their experience with us. They're trying to, you know, share their playing style with us so that we can match up.' He shared his experience playing for the Dallas Harlequins Rugby Football Club and how he will use his expertise from Dallas for Mumbai Dreamers in the Rugby Premier League. 'Dallas, it's completely different. I was playing 15 aside, not sevens. And it's like more people in the same field. And so, yeah, it was like a different experience. I played against people who have played in the World Cup, played in the Tongan and someone. So I played against them. So it's like an experience for me, and I learned a lot. Now I'm trying to, you know, use that experience here with the Mumbai Dreamers. And hopefully, like, you know, we do well.' He also reflected on his childhood experience with Khelo Rugby, where he played the sport. Now, he coaches young coaches, aiming to have them return to their communities and share their experiences, mirroring his journey. I grew up with an organisation called Khelo Rugby. When I was kid, I got introduced with that organisation. And yeah, as a kid, playing, played the rugby in that organisation. Now I'm taking charge. And, you know, I coach coaches, like young coaches. So that the community they come from, they go back to the same community. And, you know, share the same experience that I had when I was a kid,' he added. RPL will feature six city-based teams, showcasing elite talent from top rugby nations around the globe, along with top-tier players from India. The league will feature some of the best 7s rugby talent internationally as well as from India. (ANI)
