World Rugby principal charity ChildFund

World Rugby principal charity ChildFund

The confirmation that the World Rugby principal charity ChildFund will be celebrated during the Rugby World Cup is a positive social responsibility policy from the governing body.

With a focus on gender equality initiatives, ChildFund works with partners, including Oceania Rugby, to provide vulnerable girls and women with opportunities to learn skills to overcome challenges and be active leaders in their communities. Rugby fans will have the opportunity to engage with and support the work of ChildFund Rugby, ChildFund’s dedicated rugby for development unit, via an opt-in mechanism to donate when purchasing match day tickets, with funds raised through the partnership supporting the expansion of rugby for development programs in Oceania.

World Rugby Chief Executive Alan Gilpin said: “We are delighted to be extending our impactful association with ChildFund, this time as principal charity partner for Rugby World Cup 2021*. The tournament will showcase rugby’s unstoppable women as they compete at the highest level.

“Importantly, it will also generate an incredible legacy by supporting a new generation of female players and leaders in Pacific Island nations through ChildFund’s significant contribution to rugby for development programs in the Oceania region.”

Aspirational, and includes many core goals and strategies:

  • Partnership set to grow rugby for development and gender equality initiatives in Oceania and beyond
  • ChildFund becomes first-ever charity partner for the women’s edition of a Rugby World Cup
  • Rugby fans will have the opportunity to opt in to donate when purchasing match day tickets
  • Appointment builds on record-breaking success of the Rugby World Cup 2019 partnership in Japan where £2 million was pledged by rugby fans to support ChildFund’s rugby for development programs and Typhoon Hagibis disaster relief
  • Rugby World Cup 2021 hosted in New Zealand set to take place 8 October-12 November 2022 in Auckland and Whangārei.

* Postponed from the original schedule until 2022, the event is still a primary focus for the sports governing body.

World Rugby principal charity ChildFund

ChildFund Rugby’s development programs not only promote the right to play in communities where children have little or no access to organized sport, but provide important learning opportunities around leadership, problem-solving, gender equality, relationships, conflict resolution, and planning for the future.

With a strong focus on gender equality, a strategic objective shared by World Rugby, more than half of all participants and rugby leadership roles are female, challenging gender stereotypes. ChildFund Alliance chair Simon Whyte said, “ChildFund is excited to again be partnering with World Rugby to change children’s lives through sport.

“Over 31,000 children and young people have benefitted from their involvement in ChildFund’s rugby for development programs, which are highly successful in providing critical learning opportunities for children facing significant challenges linked to poverty and inequality. As part of this, 6,000 children have participated in Reconnect, a COVID-19 early response initiative developed by ChildFund which supports positive responses among young people to the challenges of the pandemic.

“ChildFund’s rugby for development programs also support global efforts to achieve gender equality, reduce inequality, and end gender-based violence, reflecting targets within the UN Sustainable Development Goals.”

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Funds raised during the tournament will allow ChildFund Rugby to expand its contribution to rugby for development programs for children and young people in Oceania, support female leadership initiatives, and support the creation of strong rugby women’s networks around the globe.

For more information, visit www.childfundrugby.org

 

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