RUGBY coach Gary Tolley has just returned from a trip of a lifetime to introduce tag-rugby to nearly 1,000 youngsters in Zambia.

Mr Tolley, from Malvern, travelled to Africa as part of a team of volunteer coaches from the Tag Rugby Development Trust.

After leaving Heathrow on Friday, May 26, destined for Lusaka, the country's capital, the team made its way to Kitwe, deep in the heart of Zambia's Copper Belt.

Mr Tolley said: "I met and taught children with far less material possessions and opportunities than their UK counterparts.

"The manner in which the Zambian youngsters took to learning, mastering and enjoying a completely new sport within a matter of days was awe-inspiring."

The coaching team organised a six-day training course for youngsters and teachers from the Miseshi, Wesley Nyienda and St Francis schools and the Chibusa House Orphanage.

At the end of the course, eight tag-rugby teams from the schools attended a tournament at Kitwe Agricult-ural Show, where Mr Tolley said youngsters mesmerised the crowd and VIPs from the Zambian Rugby Football Union with their newly-discovered skills.

The team then ran another intensive course for the Muleya, Chaisa, Emmasdale and Justine Kabwe schools, where the children again took part in a tournament, this time impressing government ministers and civic dignitaries.

Before coming home, Mr Tolley and his colleagues took a well-earned rest in Livingston, which included a visit to Victoria Falls and a mini safari.

The Zambian government's youth and sports minister, George Chulumanda, spoke at a special reception for the coaching team, hosted by the British High Commissioner for Zambia, Alistair Harrison.

Mr Harrison said the government and people of Zambia were indebted to the team and the work they started will continue throughout the country.

For more information about the Tag Rugby Development Trust, visit www.tagrugbytours.com.