In a major boost for Rugby administration in the Americas, no fewer than 19 Unions from the CONSUR and NACRA regions are attending an Olympic solidarity high performance Rugby Sevens course run in collaboration with Argentina Rugby Union.

Representatives from Ecuador, Peru, Argentina, Uruguay, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, Bermuda, Nicaragua, Venezuela, Mexico, Guyana, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Colombia, El Salvador, Brazil, Barbados, Cayman Islands and Nicaragua are taking part in the course, which takes place all this week in Asuncion, the capital of Paraguay.

The delegates will remain in the city to witness the Paraguay launch of the exciting Get Into Rugby mass participation programme and to attend the first match of CONSUR Senior A tournament between Paraguay and Uruguay.

President of the Paraguayan National Olympic Committee Camilo Perez officially opened the course. He said: “I am delighted we are hosting this course in our country. I strongly believe Rugby is a great sport to invest in due to our potential. Along with handball, I think Rugby will continue to grow in popularity here.”

On behalf of the NOC, Perez has signed a 20-year agreement with the national sports ministry and the Union de Rugby de Paraguay. Under the terms of this agreement, Rugby will gain two purpose-built grounds and a 1,300-capacity venue with offices for the Union, all of which will be completed by April 2015.