21 May 2017: World Rugby, Asia Rugby and the Japan Rugby Football Union today launched the legacy program for the Rugby World Cup in Japan, 2019.
ChildFund Pass It Back, alongside other regional rugby programs, has been named as a key partner, and will support World Rugby in its objectives to grow the game in Asia while also achieving important social outcomes for disadvantaged communities.
IMPACT Beyond programs are run alongside all major World Rugby events and focus on development, participation, coaching, volunteering and business programs to support the growth of the game. This includes a target of inspiring one million new rugby players in Asia by 2020.
World Rugby Chairman Bill Beaumont said: “A truly sustainable legacy should be a central thought, not an afterthought when it comes to major event planning and the IMPACT Beyond 2019 programme sets out exciting participation, coaching, administrative and fan-engagement targets for the world’s most populous region by the time it hosts its first Rugby World Cup in 2019.”
ChildFund Pass it Back is an innovative Sport for Development program which uses rugby to equip children and young people in Asia to overcome challenges, inspire positive social change and ‘pass it back’ to their communities. With a strong focus on gender equity, half of all players and coaches are female.
As part of the IMPACT Beyond strategy, ChildFund Pass It Back is being expanded in Laos and Vietnam, and being introduced to other countries in Asia. The program is led by ChildFund in partnership with World, Rugby, Asia Rugby, ChildFund Japan and Women Win.
Nigel Spence, CEO of ChildFund Australia, said: “We are very excited to partner with World Rugby. The ChildFund Pass It Back program was established for children in remote, disadvantaged communities, who face significant challenges around poverty and inequality.
“Through our involvement in IMPACT Beyond 2019, not only will thousands of children and youth have the opportunity to learn the skills of rugby and take part in organised sport – often for the first time – but they will also benefit from a valuable life skills curriculum which will inspire them to become strong leaders and role models within their communities.”