A UK based Ghanaian rugby player, Zainab Alemais, is embarking on a project aimed at supporting rugby in Ghana at the grassroots level.

Dubbed ‘studs in the mud’, it aims to instill rugby values in children.

And with support from friends, family and fans, she has been able to secure 18 pairs of brand new firm ground rugby boots to promote the sport.

Zainab has also received 42 rugby shirts from the HSBC bank, sponsors of world rugby Sevens series while her club, the Millwall rugby club in east London UK, has donated some balls and bibs.

At brief ceremonies, she donated the equipment to the Kanda Cluster of Government schools and the Aggrey Memorial International Schools located in the capital city of Accra.

Presenting the equipment, Alemais stated a desire to install rugby values into the community, promote good physical and mental health and to change perceptions about women in rugby through the project.

“My aim is to send a message to women that they can play sports and live their normal lives. Sports is good for the body and mind and I want people to identify with me and have the belief they can play too.”

Zainab revealed that the University of Hertfordshire Rugby Club in UK hosted a charity game which raised £350 for ‘studs in the mud’.

According to her, the money has been given to women’s Rugby Development Officer, Rafatu Inusah to organise the rugby fun games at the two schools.

She announced that there will be a presentation of HSBC T-shirts to the champions of this year’s women’s league.