NFP, in partnership with Rugby Canada, has announced the launch of a new youth rugby program aimed at providing more opportunities to young girls who are interested in the sport.
The new Let’s Play Rugby program will be administered by Rugby Canada and presented by NFP. It will focus on encouraging young people across the country aged 13 to 16 to try girls' rugby in a “noncontact, inclusive environment.” It is hoped that the program will help build social connection, empowerment, self-confidence and choice for all participants.
With a pilot being run in British Columbia, the Let’s Play Rugby program will span 10 weeks. The program first begins with an introduction at a school before concluding at the location of a local rugby club. Rugby Canada staff will lead the sessions, with local clubs and schoolteachers lending additional support.
“We’re thrilled to partner with Rugby Canada on Let’s Play Rugby and advance a relationship that has exceeded expectations,” said NFP Canada president John Haas.
NFP first announced in April that it had entered a multi-year partnership deal with Rugby Canada. As part of the deal, the P&C broker became the official insurance partner of the Women’s 15s squad Senior Program. NFP also pledged to help develop a program for Canadian girls to get them involved in the sport, culminating in the launch of Let’s Play Rugby.
Haas noted that he has spent time with the Women’s 15s squad, and found that their values of “teamwork, inclusion, and high performance” align with NFP.
“It’s exciting to see these values in action as we create opportunities for girls with diverse backgrounds and experiences to learn more about the sport and make new connections,” the CEO commented.
“The goal of the program is to have more players participating in inclusive rugby within our clubs across Canada with a girls' structure,” said Rugby Canada Women and Girls Rugby project coordinator Steph Veal. “The program will also function as the bridge for participants who enjoyed the introduction to rugby and want to continue playing at the club or community level. We really believe the program will advance the women’s game across Canada.”
“Women’s rugby in Canada is thriving, as illustrated by the success of Canada’s Senior Women’s 15s team, and the program will be another tool that increases the number of individuals playing the sport,” said Community Rugby and Rugby Development senior director Paul Hunter. “By incorporating different elements of our game into this program and equipping participants with skills they can use in everyday life, players will take what they learn from this program and apply it within their communities, thus growing as a player and a person.”
A release said that in spring 2023, Rugby Canada has plans to expand the pilot program to the provinces of Alberta, Quebec and New Brunswick.
