ChildFund enters historic Rugby World Cup 2021 partnership
May 28, 2021
To support the next generation of unstoppable women in rugby, international development agency ChildFund has been appointed as the principal charity partner for Rugby World Cup 2021 by World Rugby. This is a first in the history of the premier women’s 15s event.
Rugby fans will have the opportunity to engage with and support the work of ChildFund Rugby by making a donation when purchasing match day tickets. Funds raised will be used to expand rugby for development programmes in Oceania, underwrite female leadership initiatives and support the creation of strong rugby women’s networks around the globe.
With a focus on gender equality initiatives, ChildFund works with partners, including Oceania Rugby, to provide vulnerable girls and women with opportunities to learn skills to overcome challenges and be active leaders in their communities.
Its rugby for development programmes also support global efforts to achieve gender equality, reduce inequality and end gender-based violence, reflecting targets within the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). ChildFund's "Pass It Back" programme won the UNICEF Safeguarding Children in Sport Award at the 2017 Beyond Sport Global Awards.
“We are delighted to be extending our impactful association with ChildFund, this time as principal charity partner for Rugby World Cup 2021...Importantly, it will also generate an incredible legacy by supporting a new generation of female players and leaders in Pacific Island nations through ChildFund’s significant contribution to rugby for development programmes in the Oceania region,” said World Rugby Chief Executive Alan Gilpin.
As part of the Rugby World Cup 2019 partnership, fans pledged a record-breaking £2 million globally to ChildFund, providing more than 25,000 children from disadvantaged communities in Asia with the opportunity to take part in ChildFund’s Pass It Back programme, where they learned life skills with the support of Asia Rugby. Funds also supported rebuilding efforts in Japan following the devastation caused by Typhoon Hagibis during the tournament.
Its development programmes promote the right to play in communities where children have little or no access to organised sport, while also providing important learning opportunities around leadership, problem-solving, gender equality, relationships, conflict-resolution and planning for the future.
With a strong focus on gender equality - a strategic objective shared by World Rugby - more than half of all participants and rugby leadership roles are female, challenging gender stereotypes.
Former New Zealand Black Fern, Hireme-Smiler, said: “I am extremely passionate about supporting younger girls as this was how we were raised within our whanau (family). The ways in which ChildFund makes an impact on the lives of vulnerable children – whether through health and wellbeing, education, or sport – is so inspiring.”
The tournament takes place in New Zealand from 8 October to 12 November, 2022.