Rugby as a System of Education
This project's parent organization is Rugby Supporters' Alliance (League)
It operates in Georgia
It uses Rugby Union
Entered the Sport for Education Award
More about Rugby as a System of Education
The project “Rugby as a System of Education”, implemented since 2002, targets the most socially vulnerable, excluded groups of youngsters aged 10-18, in multi-ethnic remote regions in Georgia. Project involves children, including those with mental disabilities, from different ethnic communities In Samtskhe-Javakheti region agribusiness is underdeveloped, unemployment high and social support minimal. Local ethnic Georgians and Armenians live in mono-ethnic groups and have limited interaction, often degrading into hostilities.
In such an environment, young people are prone to conflicts, lack opportunities for learning, growing, developing. Rugby philosophy was chosen as an instrument for triggering change in Samtskhe-Javakheti! Playing sports games together as one team, youngsters learn about friendship, mutual support and inclusion. Common goals help them overcome cultural stereotypes, language barriers and face challenges with open minds! Rugby helps youth from socially vulnerable Georgian-Armenian families to learn rules of equal and mutually respected interaction.
They gradually become motivated to not only do physical exercise, play (rugby) and have fun but also acquire new knowledge and perform joint activities. Transformation of active boys and girls into leaders is facilitated by leadership trainings, seminars on such important topics for their region and the country as environment or social welfare, helping them to “Think Global and Act Local”!