Rugby India and Khelo Rugby promoting the #SpiritOfRugby In the City Of Joy!

Khelo Rugby is One of five world Rugby Spirit of Rugby Partners – Social inclusion projects through rugby in India, Pakistan and Nepal

Paul Walsh, Khelo Rugby

Paul Walsh the Man Behind Khelo Rugby spoke to Asia Rugby about the program being chosen by world rugby as part of the #SpiritOfRugby programme,
“it is truly an honor to be selected by world rugby for the sprit of rugby Program, we feel a real sense of Pride . it has really helped the raise the Awareness of the work we have been doing globally. It has encouraged all involved in Khelo Rugby

Khelo Rugby is about taking sporting and development opportunities to socially disadvantaged communities and Our aim is to support children as they grow up to be good citizens, responsible within their family and making a positive impact on their communities, this is: growing up with rugby!”

Nasser Hussain, Rugby India

Nasser Hussain, GM Rugby India spoke about the #SpiritOfRugby programme and Khelo Rugby “We are honoured that World Rugby has recognized and acknowledged a program that has its roots in Kolkata.

India has a rich heritage and history of Rugby with the Calcutta Cup being synonymous with the City of Joy, played first in Kolkata in 1879.

The Khelo Rugby (Play Rugby) program launched by Paul Walsh and his team have done a wonderful job to use Rugby as a catalyst for change, giving the youth an opportunity to not only become better rugby players but more importantly provide them a platform and pathway to a better life and future.

There are several inspirational success stories of the Khelo Rugby kids from humble backgrounds going on to achieve new heights. Rugby India is happy and fortunate to provide these kids a pathway to excel and reach their potential as a player, official, role model and ambassador of the game in India as well as South Asia.”

World Rugby Spirit of Rugby programme

Second edition of the rugby for social development programme launched

2017-18 partners using rugby and its values to help grow the global game

Programme aligned with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

World Rugby today announced the second edition of its successful Spirit of Rugby programme. The programme was first launched in 2016 when organisations using rugby for social development projects were invited to apply for support from World Rugby to further develop and grow their activities.

Spirit of Rugby Partners

A diverse list of organisations from across the globe applied to partner with World Rugby during the first edition of the programme with five eventual partners selected:

Khelo Rugby – Social inclusion projects through rugby in India, Pakistan and Nepal

Rio Rugby FC – Urban rugby project in Rio de Janeiro’s favela communities promoting rugby and its values

SOS Kit Aid – Environmental initiative redistributing new and used rugby kit and equipment to developing unions

Terres en Mêlées – Education, gender equality and sustainability actions through rugby in France and Madagascar

Trust Rugby International – Building training and education networks to support inclusive rugby for players with a disability

World Rugby Chairman Bill Beaumont

World Rugby Chairman Bill Beaumont said: “The Spirit of Rugby programme is a wonderful opportunity for World Rugby to lend its support to those organisations working at the community level which live and breathe the values of the game – discipline, respect, integrity, passion and of course, solidarity.

“World Rugby’s mission to grow the global game is driven by its vision as a sport for all, true to its values. In aligning the programme to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and through working in close collaboration with our unions, regions and Spirit of Rugby partners, we can use the game to support actions which benefit not just our sport, but wider society, be it through focusing on gender equality, education, health, social inclusion, youth leadership or peace building initiatives.”

World Rugby invites applications for 2019-20 Spirit of Rugby projects

Applications, which are invited until 31 August, 2018, will be evaluated against a range of criteria including expected impact, reach, sustainability and scalability of the project as well as collaboration with World Rugby members and regional associations. For more information, please visit world.rugby/spirit-of-rugby.