SINGAPORE - The upcoming HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series to be held at the National Stadium next year will mark the return of elite rugby to Singapore shores, but the Singapore Rugby Union (SRU) will actively promote the sport at grassroots level.

Every school student who plays rugby will receive a rugby ball as part of the programme.

Called the "Pass It On" initiative, it stems from the vision of SRU President Low Teo Ping, who wants every rugby-playing youth to possess his own ball.

"We want to reach out and encourage interest in the sport from a young age," said Mr Low.

Launched jointly by the SRU and law firm Quahe Woo & Palmer LLC, the programme aims to hand 1,500 rugby balls to primary and secondary students by March next year.

So far, 16 primary schools have already signed up to the initiative, which will be launched in secondary schools in January next year.

In addition, every primary school student in the programme will also receive a complimentary ticket for the HSBC Sevens World Series at the National Stadium next year.

Rugby Singapore, which is a part of the SRU, is also launching the Adopt A Nation programme in January next year, where 16 schools will be selected to "adopt" a nation participating in the competition.

Each school will decorate five special cubes to reflect the rugby history and values of the adopted nation.

The cubes will be placed at the stadium to inform spectators about the competing countries when the tournament starts in April next year.