Page 18 - Unity Project

CASE STUDIES

Although not all of the targets were met, this reflects the fact that there have
been challenges in delivering some of the development plans. In target terms, Below are some case studies that demonstrate both the breadth of work undertaken
the impact of these challenges was felt most when trying to meet objectives by the Unity Project and also the impact that work has had.
that were relatively small in number terms, such as advising on governance
and volunteering. However, in some cases, partnerships are still working on Switzerland
delivering plans and some of the KPIs above will be met outside of the original
agreed timelines. Main aim of the project
One of the mains aims for the Unity Project in Switzerland was to help set up a schools programme
Another challenge outside actual delivery is how to measure success. In to increase the number of people playing the sport. Rugby S’Cool was born and as a result over 1,000
particular, it has been difficult to collect reliable data on how many coaches and students now know what rugby is, with the project set to continue into the future. Also, as a result of
referees have been mentored because this process often takes place away from the schools project the Swiss Union now has more trained staff able to deliver rugby in schools.
the sessions facilitated. Consequently, the figures provided often only cover
coaches and referees that have been through a more formal mentoring process In conjunction with the Rugby S’Cool programme, the Swiss Union is now running a programme in
when, in reality, the impact of informal mentoring is likely to be much wider. universities and held the first intra-university 7s Championships in Spring 2016.

The successes of the project against the KPIs should not be underestimated. Veronika Muehlhofer
More than 1,000 coaches and referees have received education or development,
more than 300 coaches and referees have been mentored over two years and What did you find most valuable about being involved in the Unity Project?
more than 100 existing and new coach and referee educators or developers have ‘The exchanges with the CBs and with the RFU development staff allowed
been trained. Without doubt these newly trained and up-skilled individuals us to gain a signification amount of new knowledge and ideas. The financial
will go on to have an impact on rugby across Europe for many years to come. assistance received through the Unity project then enabled us to kick off a
number of new projects in our own Union’.

Thanks to the activities implemented in the 17 Rugby Europe nations, Arthur Bowden, Dorset & Wiltshire RFU
Unions shared their passion and experience and opened new territories Do you think the Unity Project will have a lasting impact on rugby in the country? If so how?

and opportunities. Such a programme can help rugby expand and get ‘We gave the Swiss information, technical mainly. Their efforts have doubled the number of

stronger in Europe, riding on the trend which emerged from the RWC schoolchildren playing the game when there are so many alternative attractions of other sporting
2015 and growing with the Olympics’. OCTAVIAN MORARIU, RUGBY activities, this is a great advance. We are building for the future’.

EUROPE PRESIDENT AND IOC MEMBER