Tokyo, Japan, September 18, 2019: With just two days to go to the start of the Rugby World Cup 2019 in Japan, World Rugby and RWC 2019 charity partner ChildFund have confirmed that a record-breaking £2 million has been pledged to the ChildFund Pass It Back programme.
Funds raised through opt-in donations when purchasing tickets for the RWC have increased by an impressive 50 per cent compared to RWC 2015 as fans once again demonstrate their solidarity with the values and objectives of this important development initiative.
The figure also includes donations from online shoppers at the Official Rugby World Cup 2019 Online Shop and support provided by RWC’s worldwide partners and individual donors around the globe.
The pledged funds will give more than 25,000 children and youth from disadvantaged communities in Asia the opportunity to benefit from their involvement in the award-winning ChildFund Pass It Back program.
Led by ChildFund in partnership with World Rugby and Asia Rugby, ChildFund Pass It Back not only promotes the right to play in communities where children have little or no access to organised sport but provides important learning opportunities around leadership, problem-solving, gender equity, conflict-resolution and planning for the future.
Over half of all players and coaches involved in the programme are female.
Ross Mitchell, Asia Rugby’s General Manager, said: “By partnering with organisations like ChildFund we can use rugby as a tool to give young people life-long skills and knowledge.
“Not only will we be able to develop the game of rugby in the region but we can help build stronger communities. Our ChildFund Pass It Back programme really does demonstrate the true values of our wonderful game.”
Source: world.rugby