Smart Rugby

Background Coordinator Federación Galega de Rugby (ES) and partners Associação do Rugby do Norte (PT), Asociatia Clubul Sportiv Rugby Cluj Junior (RO), Muralla Rugby Club (ES) and Rugby Futbol Club Sumi XV (ES) shared their expectations and reached an agreement: provide sustainability in rugby empowering future generations with skills acquired through this sport. The identified need was of a unifying tool for developing more than physical competences in children through rugby. Objectives The project aimed to develop an educational tool using rugby as a grassroots sport to improve personal, social, and professional development for children under 12. The specific objectives were to create a European collaboration network, share at least 10 good practices, engage 100 stakeholders, and create a toolkit with 9 learning units for teachers, coaches, and parents to support the development of children's physical, psychological, social, and cognitive skills through rugby. Implementation Although Covid-19 restrictions made it impossible to stick to the planned schedule during Phase 0. Initiating, the set targets and planned activities met expectations. Partners’ flexibility made possible the completion on time by December 31st, 2022, changing the order of some of the international meetings due to restrictions and lack of competition in some countries. Public health guidance, COVID tests, social distancing, re-scheduling represents keywords of the implementation process. Achievements The 4 specific objectives of the project were achieved: a new European collaboration network has been created, more than 10 good practices identified and shared, more than 100 stakeholders involved, and the 9 LUs Toolkit for teachers, coaches, and parents to support children's development through rugby has been published. In addition, 2 goals were achieved: initiate new children in the rugby game and increase project team capabilities by using technology to work remotely.