But an innovative new scheme from Premiership Rugby is hoping to break that connection by offering children and young people in South America the opportunity to play a new sport through its TRY Rugby programme.
The programme offers disadvantaged youngsters a chance to learn new skills such as leadership, social inclusion, team-work and respect and also supports the worldwide growth of rugby as it prepares to make its Olympic debut at the 2016 Games in Rio.
And with just two years to go until the eyes of the world fall on the Brazilian city, Premiership Rugby has teamed up with the British Council and Social Services of Industry in Brazil to offer more training schemes to Brazilian schools and local clubs that will aid child development by using rugby as a tool for social change.
The project, which won Community Programme of the Year in 2013 at the Rugby Expo awards, has seen 12 Premiership coaches shipped out to Sao Paulo to teach the sport to local schools and communities while also holding classes to tackle issues such as lack of inclusion or juvenile crime.
Since it began in 2012, more than 50,000 young people and adults have participated in coaching sessions, workshops, coach education events and competitions and around 350 teachers and volunteer coaches have gone on to achieve tag rugby coaching certificates.
The TRY Rugby programme, which began in Sao Paulo before expanding to Santa Catarina, was officially extended to the Minas Gerais region on Tuesday. The programme is the result of funding and expertise from Premiership Rugby, the British Council and SESI, a public private partnership which runs schools and training programmes in Brazil, with the backing of local state governments.
The project was piloted in São Paulo, initially in 12 cities, utilising SESI SP facilities as community hubs to deliver the project. Since the pilot was launched in September 2012 the Try Rugby SP programme has reached over 54,000 children, young people and adults and is now expanding to 24 cities. The project delivers a range of health, education and participation based activities in schools and communities in Brazil.
It’s almost 200 years since William Webb-Ellis first picked up a football at a park in Rugby and created the sport, and town MP Mark Pawsey admits he’s delighted that an idea that began in his home town has gone on to become an international sport that is trying to help change people’s lives.
“I think it’s great that rugby is now making an impact all over the world,” said the Conservative politician.
“This is a game that started in my back yard in 1823 and I think it’s really good that whenever people talk about the game of rugby there’s a reference back to my home town, I’m very proud of that.
“The TRY Rugby programme is fantastic because it’s taking our great sport into Brazil to encourage those that are socially disadvantaged to take up the game and gain life skills such as teamwork and leadership, which will give people an advantage in their lives.
“We’ve got the support of Premiership Rugby and the British Council and it’s wonderful that these groups have got together to promote sport in such a positive way.
“It’s a long term programme and lots of people will dip their toe in to see if rugby is for them, it won’t be for everyone but what we need to do is make certain that these that are enthusiasts spread the word.
“Brazil is a great opportunity for this programme because rugby will be returning to the Olympic Games in Rio in 2016. There will be a 7s tournament out there and it’s a fantastic chance to develop this fast growing sport, which I’m certain will make a big impact in Brazil.
“Let’s hope that in years to come we can have a Brazilian national team that challenges even the likes of England in competitions.”
Article source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/video/rugbyunion/video-1101491/Danny-Care-leads-England-rugby-team-song-Maori-community.html
Rugby"s MP backs Premiership Rugby"s Try Rugby in Brazil
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