Last week I was privileged to travel to Kolkata with the 100 World Legends rugby team to support the growth and development of rugby in India. I was joined by former New Zealand All Black Norman Maxwell, Fiji 7s star Sireli Bobo and England winger Luther Burrell. Despite our combined years of experience and travel through the game, nothing could have prepared us for some of the situations we would encounter.
Over the course of the week we split our time between Khelo Rugby and Future Hope School, who work hand in hand to reach some of the city’s most vulnerable children. Further to providing coaching support for children, we also worked with the teachers and coaches in the school to help upskill their knowledge and planning.
Within the team of coaches we worked with, there were some incredible stories of resilience and determination. One left home at the age of seven due to lack of family support, opting to live at the local railway station with other children and fend for himself. After several weeks, he was rescued by an orphanage and eventually attended a rugby session. He now proudly coaches as part of Khelo rugby, supporting children who find themselves in the position he was once in. Another had no knowledge of his last name, birthday or family, with his earliest memories comprising of care given by other children. Working alongside these coaches who embodied the values they seek to impart in the young people under their care was truly a privilege.
One session I will never forget was located alongside a strip of grass beside some derelict buildings. Several of the children who attended the session lived in makeshift homes alongside, many of which were comprised of sticks, canvas and other discarded objects. None of the young players had shoes, so before the session could begin everyone had to line up shoulder to shoulder and walk through the grass to remove any sticks, stones or dangerous rubbish. During the session, a family of pigs ran through the long grass, seemingly cohabiters of the space. Despite these challenges, the children played with joy on their faces and were totally unfazed by the obstacles in their path.
Future Hope was a truly inspirational school, with day students attending lessons alongside once homeless children who now live in the upper part of the school. Despite having so little, they were so proud to show us their shared bedroom and living space. Although I am typically stoic in nature, the sight of a small toddler sized bed reduced me to tears. Each day we attended the school we joined the students for lunch, sitting together in a circle on the lunchroom floor. They poked fun at me for my inability to eat with my hands while sharing stories of their hopes and ambitions for the future.
Although I have gathered a lot of playing and coaching knowledge through my own personal experiences, working alongside some of the most recognisable names in world rugby was also an incredible learning experience. Sharing a room with Norman Maxwell gave me the opportunity to learn from his experiences as part of the most successful sports franchise in the world and the lessons that can be imparted to young people at Hartland. I also learned many cultural lessons from both our hosts and from Sireli, who shared his own story of struggle to leave Fiji and adopt a new culture in France where he played most of his professional rugby. There were so many parallels to the challenges we face together when moving to a new country to work and learn.
The trip left me with several strong emotions and reflections. Firstly, a determination to be more grateful for the opportunities and privileges I enjoy in life. In a fast paced and competitive environment, we often forget just how lucky we are. I wake up each day in a safe house with my family, put on clean clothes and shoes before I go to work. Privileges I take for granted that others simply do not have. It also reaffirmed my belief that the most important reason to be involved in.
Sport is for the sense of belonging. The children attended the session together not because they hope to be professionals or because of their personal ambition. They attend to spend time with friends, to enjoy being part of a community and because of the supportive relationships they enjoy with their coaches. Rugby is the vehicle, but the hidden learning is in how to work together and support each other in a thriving team.
