blink | bmobile Foundation teams up with British Council for Rugby Project

The coaches were in the country as guests of the British Council who has partnered with blink | bmobile, SporTT and the Trinidad and Tobago Rugby Football Union (TTRFU) to explore the feasibility of a grassroots youth development programme using rugby as a vehicle for social development. Apart from fact-finding meetings with key members of the local stakeholder community, the coaches also facilitated a number of rugby coaching clinics throughout Trinidad and Tobago. Players and coaches gathered for the training sessions at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium in Marabella, at the Youth Training Centre Grounds in Arouca as well as at Bon Accord Sports Grounds in Tobago.

Camille Campbell, acting chief marketing officer at TSTT said that the initiative’s ultimate goal was to use the health, fitness and character-building components of rugby to the benefit of young people in disadvantaged communities. “The blink | bmobile Foundation is always eager to support creative initiatives that positively engage young people. We strongly believe that rugby and by extension sports not only foster the development within the specific discipline but also promotes character development which leads to the holistic growth of the individual.”

Coach Watson noted that the purpose of the visit was to gather empirical data to assess the stage of development of rugby in Trinidad and Tobago. Coach Watson also shared insights on the numerous advantages and opportunities that exist for young people pursuing a career in rugby. “We really want to use rugby to reach kids, especially those in marginalised communities.

Rugby should not only be seen as a combative and physical sport because it is underpinned by core values such as teamwork, respect, discipline, enjoyment and sportsmanship. It teaches players how to channel their aggression into more positive ways,” he said. Watson, who has been playing rugby for 27 years, added that the British Council had already partnered with Premiership Rugby to bring the sport to communities in Brazil, Argentina, Colombia and South Africa, and has had many success stories. “In these countries we have seen where rugby has transformed young people’s lives. It has had a positive impact on their behaviour, self-esteem, and even their performance at school. We currently work with 12 professional rugby clubs in the UK and we would love to share our knowledge with the people of Trinidad and Tobago.”

Dr Jens-Ulrich Poppen, director Partnerships Caribbean, British Council concurred. Poppen also stressed the importance of changing the perception that rugby is an elitist sport, adding that Trinidad and Tobago perfectly illustrated how all-encompassing the sport really is.

“Contrary to popular belief, rugby is not exclusive to a particular social sector. In fact, rugby is a very inexpensive sport that requires little resources to play. We really want to reach out to players as well as those who may be interested in playing.”

Present at the Rugby Clinic held at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium was founder and Head of the Rainbow Sports, Cultural and Social Organisation, Rudolph Jack. Jack, 61, said many of his players came from disadvantaged areas in Marabella and environs and he saw rugby as a way to lift them out of their environment. He said since establishing the organisation 30 years ago, he has witnessed positive changes in the youth. Jack hailed the visit as positive and a possible springboard for the establishment of a larger developmental programme which could make a big difference in the lives of many young people.

“Rugby has stopped gang violence in the area. The youth now focus their energy on the field. Rugby gives them an avenue to put competitiveness into a potential career,” he said.

Jack hopes to build his club into a Rugby Academy and see some of the players play rugby for their livelihood and he believes this British Council initiative can help with that. Jack has eight children in Rainbow Rugby, including national rugby player, Agboola Silverthorn. The 22-year-old was also in high praise of the scoping sessions especially as rugby will be reintroduced as an Olympic sport at the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil for the first time in 100 years.

“It will be great if rugby can grow in Trinidad and Tobago. We have been winning championships without much assistance. Imagine what we can do if we get the funding and support we need,” he said.