Rugby: A universal language — WRU invites sanctuary seekers to join the game

Earlier this week, we welcomed the Welsh Rugby Union to our Play Project. These free sessions are a space for sanctuary seeking children and their families to play together and experience the joys of childhood, away from traumatic events they have experienced. 

Our boys and girls had the chance to pick up a rugby ball for the first time, having lots of fun in the sun with Darren and the other coaches down in St. Albans Rugby Club. Having the chance to experience the game which is so dear to our nation’s hearts gave the children the chance to learn more about about Welsh culture and to aid their integration into Welsh life.

The children have been through so much already in their young lives. Many continue to face challenges in their day-to-day lives: one young boy who we met was very happy to hear his name said correctly in the session, telling us that his classmates struggle to pronounce his name properly.

When children have the space to play and enjoy themselves with their friends, they can achieve some truly incredible feats, a point illustrated by the story of WRU’s very own Christ Tshiunza. As a boy, Christ arrived in the UK from the Democratic Republic of the Congo with his family. They settled in Cardiff, where Christ learnt English as an additional language and formed friendships that would lead him to the rugby pitch. Now as a forward for Exeter and the Wales senior men’s team, Christ has made a future for himself in the sport and shows how rugby can and should be for everyone.

To see all the children with big smiles on their faces and having fun was really special. And who knows? Maybe we’ll see some of them in that famous red jersey one day.

To learn more about the Play Project, visit our Safe Play Spaces page.