Utilising rugby, ChildFund Pass It Back equips children and young people with the necessary life skills to respond to a rapidly changing ASEAN context.
Project implemented: 1 July 2017
The goal of this project is to ensure that children and young people are equipped to overcome challenges; inspire social change; and become leaders in their communities.
The project complements DFAT’s Sport for Development programs in Asia by supporting gender equality and promoting the participation of women.
The project was developed from an initial pilot in Laos and builds on a 2-year project that extended activities into Vietnam.
Following the program's success in Laos & Vietnam, it has been expanded into the Philippines and Timor-Leste.
An external evaluation found the program's processes are some of the best globally in connecting sport & development outcomes
ChildFund Pass It Back won the Beyond Sports Award for Safeguarding Children in Sport, in 2017.
504 rugby teams have been formed; 270 coaches trained; over 22,000 individual integrated sports and life-skills sessions have been delivered.
Children and youth in project locations face a number of disadvantages with poverty, belonging to minority ethnicity groups, gender discrimination and remoteness from services all creating barriers that prevent them reaching their full potential.
Evidence shows sport can play a significant role in promoting gender equality, social integration and economic development. Early inculcation of healthy living values can also play a positive role in addressing broader issues relating to substance abuse and associated risky behaviours, including violence.
The project is led by ChildFund in partnership with World Rugby, Asia Rugby and Women Win and delivers an integrated life skills and rugby curriculum for children and young people. Key activities include: developing and delivering curricula for girls and boys to specifically address issues related to gender, planning for the future, sexual and reproductive health, and preventing violence; training for local youth coaches; competition events; and development of local community-based sports organisations that provide opportunities for children to continue to learn and play beyond the life of the project.
