There is no way to resist it, the growth of rugby in Brazil is happening. Since the first recorded game in 1891 to present day rugby has taken huge steps to becoming an alternative for those who are not captured by the small selection of easily accessible sports.
From 2011 when figures showed a low 10,000 registered players in Brazil to over 16,000 in a matter of years and today’s figures are yet to be released. Not only has Rugby grown in playing numbers but also in popularity among fans. This was shown by the release of rugby channels on the cable packages with Portuguese commentators and a boost in imports from foreign rugby sites. Brazil has been expanding in 4 main areas. The national team has been making more headlines especially among the female 7s team. The open space and freedom that the game of sevens allows seems to suit the playing style that comes from the skillful individual flair shown within the football culture. The ideas to create a South American nations cup only emphasizes the push towards professional rugby here in Brazil.
The club level in Brazil has been growing in strength for years now. The Super 8, the first national division, is now contested by teams from all over Brazil with the champions from outside Sao Paulo where rugby is at its strongest. Curitiba took the title in 2014 showing that rugby has grown from the major hub in Sao Paulo, who have five of the 10 top teams, to the south of Brazil. Creating more equally contested league will help to spread rugby nationally and is most definitely having big effect in the country.
Where rugby really find its major growth is among universities that are acting as a gateway for the majority of the new players the get a chance at the game. And rugby is delivered in few schools, university is where many players experience the sport for the first time. Reasons ranging from, an alternative to football to, the strong social side of the sport have all helped to grow university rugby here in Brazil to a competitive level. Sao Paulo now has strong sevens and XVs leagues providing more and more players with a chance to play.
Where Brazil is lacking however is in early development. Brazil has fallen short at exposing young children to rugby right at the time when they are most receptacle and when motor skills are most easily learnt. It can be seen from experience that at the age of 15 trying to teach a group of Brazilian boys to pass backwards causes utter confusion and chaos. When the sole sport that you have played in your younger ages involves control with the feet and searching to pass forwards it is no wonder that trying to implement basic rugby skills here in Brazil can take time. This is where Brazil has a chance to capture the attention and the hearts of the youth the provide a solid foundation for the future of rugby. Projects such as Premiership Tryrugby, Rugby para todos and Alma Rugby have taken huge steps forward in introducing rugby at the younger levels but more needs to be done to build a strong base. Not only do motor patterns develop quickly at a young age but a respect for the game that can be transferred off the field forms a huge part of youth development. A first contact session of rugby will often result in dramatics on floor as the culture imprinted by football can have such a strong hold. If we can bring the sport and the values to kids at a younger age Brazil can become the fastest growing rugby nations in the world.
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