Nigeria Rugby Players Form Union, Elect Peter D’ Rock President

The much talked about Nigeria Rugby Players Union /Association was finally inaugurated on Thursday 24th April 2025 in an online meeting which also elected its interim executive headed by a former hard fighting Hooker Mr.
Peter Temade as Chairman.

Peter who had played Rugby since 2001 for Lagos Rugby Club, Racing Rugby Club and recently for Abuja Rugby Club, was also a National Rugby team Hooker for several years featuring at Super 16, Africa Cup Qualifiers, Commonwealth Qualifiers and World Cup Africa Rugby Qualifiers to mention but a few.

He is flanked by another older player Mr. Taleeb of the then Eko Islanders RFC and now with Racing RFC as a player Assistant Coach as Vice Chairman. In Secretary position is Mr. Chidera Felix Iheme.

Here is the full list of the Executives

1. Chairman – Peter Otemade
2. Vice Chairman – Adeniji Taleeb Abiodun
3. Secretary – Chidera Felix Iheme
4. Treasurer – Adebor E Philip (EAZY)
5. Financial Secretary – Ibrahim Musa
6. PRO – Williams Ediongsenyene EKPO
7. Chief Whip – Adebambo Remilekun

ZONAL REPS
North East – Mohammed Usman
North West – Abdulahi Audu
North Central – Obatoyinbo Afolabi
South East – Amarachi Orji
South South – EMEKA Mathew
South West – Abubakar Tahiru

Female Reps
North – Cynthia Ishaya
South – Timitope Okoko

The Rugby Players Union is the umbrella body of all Rugby Players in the Country to take care of their welfare, Advocating for player rights by ensuring players’ voices are heard and their rights protected.

A Rugby Players Union typically represents the interests of Rugby players through collective bargaining by negotiating contracts and agreements; with governing bodies, leagues, or teams to secure fair compensation, benefits, and playing conditions for players.

According to the newly elected Proterm Chairman Peter Otemade, “Rugby players want to play the game on the pitch instead of the Social Media.

We need matches as has been in the past when we even sponsored ourselves to represent this country and won laurels on several occasions.

This country has lost grounds on the international scene because we achieved much more in the past and kept the players busy. We need to have national tournaments and National Leagues which was the norm in the past.

Unfortunately we have not had a National League and tournaments in the last four years apart from the female tournament which was held two years ago in Delta State and could not be held again so far.

The male didn’t have anything done. Last year some players got themselves together to play in a South West Rugby League in Lagos and Edo hosted a South South Rugby League and unfortunately again nothing happened in the North which has been running it’s Programs irrespective of the national, talk less of the other Zones as such the Federation have not been able to host any National Rugby League Finals till date.

Meanwhile, they keep going for international Rugby tournaments and carry the majority of players from abroad because there are no games for the domestic players to be tested for possible selection”.

According to the Secretary of the new Rugby Players body, Chidera Felix Iheme who grew up playing his Rugby in Jos the origin of Rugby in Nigeria and is now representing Delta State Rugby team, “We are tired of just watching things going left in our beautiful game in the country. We had fun playing Rugby since the inception even though it was tough.

“But as Rugby people, we looked out for each other by hosting tournaments and took care of the welfare of the players to the best of our ability. But same can not be said of today where we don’t see any tournament to play again.

“We were consoling ourselves with the inclusion of Rugby in the upcoming National Sports Festival coming up in Abeokuta tagged Gateway Games, only to be disappointed within 24 hours of it’s exclusion. We last had Rugby in Edo 2021 after 10 years of its absence even when it was a fast growing sports in Nigeria and now an Olympics Medal winning event.

“This National Sports Festivals are the platforms where we can easily compete on a national level and get recognized and put food on our families table. But unfortunately we have lost in both”.

According to Mr. Mohammed Usman of the Bara Bara Rugby & Melon Rugby Coach of Gombe State the newest baby of Rugby in the country and from the North East region, “I am very happy to be a part of this Players Union which will help us bring some unity of purpose for the game in the country and give us a sense of belongings.

“We look forward to being directly involved and participate in all its events as much as possible”.

The Female Rugby Player members were not left out as they are ably represented with one player each from the North and South respectively.

According to Miss. Amarachi Orji who is the Abia State Rugby Coach who coincidentally was celebrating her birthday on the same day, “We have not had games in our region and in the country for a long time apart from the National Female Seven’s Tournament held in 2023 in Asaba. We need more of such especially for the female players. Players are eagerly in need for games after much practice”.

Also in attendance at their inaugural launch of the Nigeria Rugby Players Union was “Mr. Rugby” Obong Ntiense Williams and Coach Richard Raphael of Kaduna, who helped to moderate discussions and acted as the returning officers for the elections which was conducted online Thursday 25th April 2025.

Player Support
1. Providing guidance and advice on matters such as career management, financial planning, and personal issues.

2. Offering welfare support: Helping players cope with injuries, mental health issues, or other challenges.

3. Assisting with career transition: Supporting players in their transition to life after rugby.

Governance and Policy
1. Influencing policy decisions : Working with governing bodies to shape policies that affect players and the sport.

2. Monitoring compliance: Ensuring that governing bodies and teams adhere to agreements and regulations.

Education and Development

1. Providing educational resources: Organising workshops, seminars, or online courses to help players develop skills and knowledge.

2. Promoting player development : Supporting initiatives that enhance player performance, well-being, and career prospects.

Other Duties

1. Representing players in disputes: Advocating for players in disputes with teams, leagues, or governing bodies.

2. Conducting research and analysis: Gathering data and insights to inform policy decisions and negotiations.

3. Building relationships: Fostering partnerships with governing bodies, sponsors, and other stakeholders to benefit players and the sport.