Expanding Youth Horizons in Brazil Through Rugby

Several of our older young men and women took part in a selection process for the São Paulo City rugby teams at the end of January and beginning of February which took a lot of encouragement and courage on their part as most have only been playing rugby for two to three years.

However it is a testament to their athleticism and the quality and dedication of the coaches and the athletes in our Diadema Rhinos team that two of the girls were selected for the under 19 team and one boy in each of the under 17 and under 19 teams. Gabriela tells us "when I am playing I get a really good feeling that makes me very happy. My objective now is to play with focus until the end of every game and session, carry on playing and try to make my future in rugby. I loved this experience and thank ACER for the opportunity as it has always contributed a lot for me to be the person I am today."

Both young women have been invited to train at the elite athletes trainging centre for rugby in São Paulo after the competition that they participated in is over. Wedja also found the experience very special "it was my first ever championship in two years playing rugby and was also the first time I travelled out fo the city to play. It made me very happy, I really enjoyed meeting new people, other cultures, it was marvellous! Especially because it was doing something that I love which is playing rugby, and it is something that I want to take with me into adult life. I have heard there will be another championship at the end of the year and so I am going to train really hard so that I can play even better."

With this spirit, we can see how the project and rugby are developing young adults into really positive people who will contribute to their families and community.