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ChildFund Rugby
We believe in the power of sport to change children’s lives. ChildFund Rugby implements a range of an innovative and award-winning sport for development curricula, giving children and young people from disadvantaged communities the opportunity to play, learn and grow.
“ChildFund Rugby helps young people practice the skills they need to keep safe in a rapidly changing environment and supports global efforts to achieve gender equality and end all forms of violence against children.”
Simon Whyte, Chair, ChildFund Alliance
What is Childfund Rugby?
ChildFund Rugby not only promotes the right to play in communities where children face challenges accessing organised sport, it also provides important learning opportunities where children can practice positive attitudes and behaviours supporting gender equality in their communities.
Rugby’s values of integrity, respect, solidarity, passion and discipline provide a strong anchor for life skills learning and creating an inclusive environment for all.
How Do We Support Children?
By taking part in Rugby for Development activities, young people from vulnerable communities are equipped to overcome challenges, inspire positive social change, and take active leadership roles within their communities. Players and coaches develop and practice critical social and emotional skills to build relationships that support positive decision making. Over half of all ChildFund Rugby participants at all levels are female and the ChildFund Rugby environment is built challenge negative gender stereotypes and to create positive male and female role models.
With global recognition as a best practice Sport for Development program, we want more young people enjoying their right to play sport and learn.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What are the International Safeguards for Children in Sport?
The International Safeguards for Children in Sport describe what organisations need to put in place if they are providing sports activities to children. The aim is to create a safe sporting environment for all children, in all parts of the world and at all levels of competition. ChildFund is a pioneer organisation for the safeguards and has been implementing them across work in Asia and the Pacific.
Through our sport for development programs, including Pass It Back, we are committed to upholding the International Safeguards for Children in Sport, which requires us to:
- work towards the 8 International Safeguards for Children in Sport;
- complete an annual Safeguards self-audit and report on our progress;
- join and promote the annual safer sport campaign; and
- share all our relevant resources, learning, knowledge and research.
Who is ChildFund?
ChildFund is a global alliance of child-focused international development organisations which assists almost 16 million children and their families in over 60 countries. With a long-standing and trusted presence in many of the world’s poorest communities, ChildFund works in partnership with children, their families and local organisations to achieve lasting change, respond to humanitarian emergencies and promote children’s rights.
ChildFund implements programs to improve education, healthcare and child protection. It also delivers programs to build the resilience of children and youth, including sport for development – most notably the highly successful Pass It Back program.
How will donated funds be used?
Funds donated will enable ChildFund Rugby to support more young people, giving them the opportunity to develop leadership and life skills through Rugby for Development programs.
How accountable is ChildFund?
ChildFund is an affiliate member of Accountable Now, a platform of international civil society organisations that strive to be transparent, responsive to stakeholders, and focused on delivering impact. In addition, each member of ChildFund Alliance must uphold and meet the following range of standards:
Program Code of Ethics: each member must establish clear and honest policies and procedures for monitoring and accountability to ensure programs are as effective as possible, with standards in place that guarantee that projects are focused on children and encourage the empowerment, training and involvement of the communities they help.
Child Safeguarding Policy Guidelines: these set forth our core values and commitments to children in line with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Fundraising Code of Ethics: these standards ensure efficiency, minimised administrative overheads, proper stewardship of funds and contributions, and complete accuracy and honesty in all fundraising activities, public statements and advertising.
ChildFund Australia, which manages the ChildFund Pass It Back program, is a member of the Australia Council for International Development (ACFID) and a signatory to the ACFID Code of Conduct. The Code requires members to meet high standards of corporate governance, public accountability and financial management. As evidence of this accountability, ChildFund Australia is accredited by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) to receive government grants.
Does ChildFund have a refund policy?
A request for a refund of contributions already donated will be considered and determined on a case by case basis. When a request for a refund is received, an assessment of the reason given for the refund request is undertaken. The following reasons will usually be considered favourably:
- an error has been made by ChildFund Australia;
- a donor decides within the first 1-3 weeks of providing contributions that they have changed their mind and the funds have not already been remitted overseas;
- a donor’s banking details are fraudulently obtained and used.
The following reasons will not usually be grounds for a refund to be given:
- the financial circumstances of the donor;
- disagreement by the donor with the nature of the programs provided by ChildFund.
If it is agreed that a refund is to be made the donor will receive the refund within ten working days of the decision. Further information can be can found in our Complaints Policy.
Is ChildFund privacy compliant?
Yes. We understand the importance of protecting personal information. You can find out how we protect your details in our Privacy Policy.
I think it is important to involve women and girls in leadership roles, because they can be great leaders and will inspire other women and girls in Laos.
Boudsadee, Lao Rugby Federation, Laos
I did things that I previously thought impossible. To all the girls and women out there, please keep being involved in whatever makes you happy and makes your community a better place.
Lan, Hoa Binh Rugby Network, Vietnam
Since becoming a player, I learnt that boys and girls are equal. I hope the program can spread everywhere, even across the globe, so children in other places of the world can enjoy learning and playing like us here.
Trang, Pass It Back player, Vietnam
The way ChildFund Rugby helps the community first within the Rugby space is incredible and sets up and builds capabilities for all communities, especially for female rugby players. The opportunity to play a sport that is inclusive and that a child can feel a sense of wellbeing and achievement is extremely powerful.
Mere Baker, former Black Fern
Rugby has been such an important part of my life so it’s incredible to see that children living in significant poverty are being given the same opportunity to play. The Pass It Back program uses sport to drive social change, and to equip young people for the challenges they may face in the future. This is the true spirit of rugby.
Honey Hireme-Smiler, former Black Fern
ChildFund Rugby is incredibly important for young people in developing communities because it brings together education and team sport. Learning through play is a really valuable way to build confidence and resilience.
Emily Chancellor, Wallaroo
The most impressive thing about Pass It Back for me is the enjoyment that I’ve seen in the kids taking part. It’s obviously adding so much to their communities and so much to their self-worth.
Stephen Larkham, World Rugby Hall of Famer
In Vietnam, children in rural areas don’t have many chances to play like children in the big cities. I bring something fun for them to do and that makes me happy. Coaches also share their real-life experiences to facilitate life-skills discussions.
Huyen, Hoa Binh Rugby Network, Vietnam
I want to help involve as many Lao girls and women from rural and remote communities as possible in rugby so they too can feel brave and strong.
Lao Khang, Lao Rugby Federation, Laos
It is a privilege to travel to these communities and support the development of new talent. I am particularly impressed that in Laos and Vietnam, where rugby is a relatively new sport, so many girls and young women are jumping in and giving it a go.
Nicole Beck, Aussie Sevens star and Olympic gold-medallist
During Pass It Back life skills sessions, the players can share their thoughts or feelings with their teammates, and talk to their coaches in confidence. The players always get the support they need.
Truong, Hoa Binh Rugby Network, Vietnam
Ciaran Fitzgerald, former British and Irish Lions Captain
I support ChildFund Rugby as it is a fantastic initiative to help support and grow children across the globe, not only in rugby, but in transferring the positive values learnt through the game across into everyday life. The drive to use rugby as a tool to develop these children into confident and aspiring leaders is fantastic.
Aimee Sutorius, former Black Fern
