Homepage Sarah Cannata newsroom

Pass It Back program proves sport has the power to remove barriers in Asia

Announcement posted by Sarah Cannata 03 Mar 2016

3 March 2016

MEDIA RELEASE


Pass It Back program proves sport has the power to remove barriers in Asia


A new video launched by Campaign for Australian Aid has captured the success of Pass It Back, an innovative Sport for Development program using rugby to increase gender equality and equip children and young people in Asia with essential life skills to overcome the challenges of poverty and inequality.


ChildFund Australia, in partnership with Women Win and the Asian Rugby Football Union (ARFU), launched the initiative in Laos and Vietnam in April last year, and hopes to expand it across countries in South-East Asia.


“The program was designed to help young people to overcome challenges, inspire positive social change and pass it back to their communities,” said ChildFund Australia CEO, Nigel Spence.


ChildFund Australia is one of over 65 aid and development agencies represented by the Campaign for Australian Aid, a movement of people, organisations and businesses who believe aid is essential in building a fairer future for all.


“Pass It Back delivers an integrated rugby and life-skills curriculum, providing important learning opportunities with a focus on leadership, gender and financial literacy, “ said Mr Spence.


“Rugby is an unfamiliar sport in many Asian countries, meaning there are no fixed ideas about who should be playing it. We’re seeing how the program is equipping women and girls with strong leadership and life skills.”


An example of one such woman is 27-year-old Bui who’s from one of the poorest communes in the Kim Boi District in Vietnam. Married and with a 5-year-old daughter, Bui is one of 25 individuals in training to become a rugby coach thanks to Pass It Back.


“I consider myself so lucky because it is very uncommon for women to be allowed to attend any social activities after getting married,” said Bui.


How can rugby change the world video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwYFBYYk-PA


If you’d like to arrange an interview or photo opportunity with Nigel Spence, please contact Sarah Cannata on 0407 536 133.


About Campaign for Australian Aid


The Campaign for Australian Aid is a joint initiative of the Make Poverty History and Micah Australia coalitions, for all Australians who believe we can and should do more as a nation to end extreme poverty around the world. It represents over 65 aid and development organisations, church, business and community groups.