Page 23 - Unity Project

Serbia Portugal

Main aim of the project Main aim of the project
In Serbia the focus for the Unity Project was to develop and run a schools project that would help to bring more young Referee and coach development formed the basis of Portugal’s development
people into rugby clubs, which had traditionally focused on the adult game. During the project 52 coaches were trained, plan. In both cases the Portuguese Union wanted the ability to recruit, train
25 teachers were supported to deliver rugby in schools and 1,450 children have now experienced rugby. and retain good people to improve the level of coaching and refereeing in
the country.
As a result of the work in schools, existing Serbian clubs now have 8 new U12 teams playing, 8 new U14 teams and 7 new
U18s teams. This influx of youngsters into the clubs has also had the added benefit of bringing new volunteers to the Through exchange of information between development staff, observation
game in the shape of parents. Word has spread of the work the Unity Project has been doing and interest in the game is visits, attendance at conferences and training sessions, coaching and referee
growing. Four news clubs have now been formed in Ruma, Vršac, Starčevo and Smedereco and all of them have growing pathways have been developed and 100 coaches and 30 referees have received
youth sections. training. A new programme called Lobinhos a Lobos has also been created to
improve the quality of coaching for young players.
Neale Baker, Director of Rugby Buckinghamshire RFU Ltd

What did you find most valuable about being involved in the Unity Project? Dave Southern, Area Manager
‘The single most valuable learning point within the context of the Unity Project is the Rugby Football Union
sharing experience between two different rugby cultures; we have both grown in rugby
terms since the project began. The long-term development and sustainability of efforts to Do you think the Unity Project will have a
date is how we will measure our success. The game itself has grown in Serbia more than lasting impact on rugby in Portugal?
was at first anticipated’. ‘Certainly in Portugal there are and will be

Do you think the Unity Project will have a lasting impact on rugby in Serbia? significant changes to structures within the
Portuguese Rugby Football Union, coaching and
‘We have all worked very hard on this project. Together we feel we have laid the foundations volunteering in particular’.
of long-term development within Serbia through the Unity Project. The most remarkable
success is changing both the mind set and environment in Serbia, thus allowing all of our What three words would you use to explain
clubs to adopt youth rugby and see it as a way of growing and sustaining our game’. your experience with the Unity Project?

‘Enjoyable, challenging, different’.