Working in a football crazy country such as Brazil presents its own challenges when trying to introduce and develop a game played mainly in the hands and where the ball travels backwards. Though when you try to bring with it the values that are such an integral part of the game, things become more complicated still. Imagine trying to explain that the referee is perhaps not always right, but nevertheless respected and that time spent arguing for a penalty could be time spent playing. It’s not hard to see why these basic values of rugby take time to be accepted, as the normal Wednesday night game here involves abuse from players and fans being directed at the referees, who also seem to accept it as part of the job. Seeing as these players are the role models and stars of the game it’s not hard for this culture of disrespect to seep into society.
Through programs working here in Brazil I have seen first hand evidence of how bringing youngsters into a rugby culture can effect a positive change of the field. I fully understand that far from all rugby players are perfect, but the values that come with the game are still very much present all over the world. Working on a hypothesis that, by aiming to create ‘good people’ not ‘good players’ through rugby coaching programs, change can be made in at least a small group of young adults in a society. If we can make a change in a small group, I believe that through more Rugby programs change can be effected through Rugby!
Taking Brazil as an example of where rugby can influence change may seem a bit unrelated when we consider creating change in countries such as England or New Zealand, where rugby has a stronger foundation than any. The culture of rugby here is very much alive. The values we use to effect change are sometimes overlooked among the desire of success and performance. One recent example of how professionalism may be affecting the integrity of rugby is with the desired change in eligibility for national selection. Australia has recently changed their selection policy, allowing overseas-based players to be eligible for national selection. Although there have been strict rules stating that only after wearing the green and gold shirt 60 times, may the player be eligible. If he plies his trade overseas to show a significant contribution to Australian rugby, is this a small step towards a decline in the integrity of rugby worldwide?
The reason that rugby has such a powerful impact in countries such as Brazil is the nature of the professionalism. If you strive to give a group of young adults a picture of a true professional sportsman then having examples of a player who choose national pride over money overseas is just one difference that somewhat separates Rugby from other sports here. Obviously you cannot state that all other sports are filled with money driven mercenaries, because it is far from the truth. Though this age of untouchable and unreachable professionals has grown massively here among the football culture. Whether the truth is that these players see themselves as such, or the culture here merely portrays them as such is debatable, but what is certain is that many of the kids we work with see them as above society and above reproach. With rugby, however, especially in countries such as Brazil, where professional rugby is still in an early growth phase we have a chance to keep the players connected to society. If you expect the most elite players to adhere to the same basic values as you teach in the very first rugby encounter with young players, then you create a sense of unity in the sport. Rugby can impact society through a set of values and a set of principles that are present at all levels, which sends a message that society has no exceptions and that an elite sportsman is just as accountable as a young student. Likewise, it’s the same as an elite businessman has the same accountability as anyone else in society. The way in which we teach rugby must be as a valued based sport if we hope to effect real social change. If we lose sight of these fundamental values at any level of the sport, rugby loses its potential to change lives through social development through rugby on and off the field.
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