At Rugby for Good, Wellbeing is one of our key areas of focus as we work to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to actively engage with the community while they nurture their physical and mental wellbeing. In this blog, we want to spotlight two programs that have been engaging with members of our community disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic: domestic helpers and youth.
Thriving in Times of Change
At Rugby for Good, we place an emphasis on driving positive social change that places community
engagement at the center of activities built around encouraging physical and mental wellbeing.
Sport - and especially team sports like rugby - can play an important role in building confidence,
fostering social connections, and enhancing the lives of vulnerable members of our community.
With an emphasis on both physical and mental wellbeing, our programs equip participants with the
knowledge, skills and attitudes required t0 manage uncertainty and thrive in a fast-changing environment. These competencies are particularly important for vulnerable groups as they navigate
an environment characterised by an increase in unpredictable economic and social challenges.
Domestic helpers and youth have disproportionately experienced these challenges and have
consequently been at an increased risk of mental health problems.
Our unique wellness curriculum utilises a balance of rugby activities, play-based mental health
educational games, and guided facilitated discussions to equip participants with coping
mechanisms and skills to help overcome these challenges.
Bloomberg Square Mile Relay – Social Inclusion for Domestic Helpers
Domestic helpers are Hong Kong’s backbone, working in private households and keeping the city
running smoothly. Their role encompasses a wide range of responsibilities, from cleaning and
preparing meals to looking after children, the elderly, and pets.
The Bloomberg Square Mile Relay: Social Inclusion for Domestic Helpers Program actively engages with domestic helpers in our city, infusing mental wellness education into rugby training with three active domestic helper teams: Eagles Ladies Rugby Club, Kowloon Rays and FDH Unite. The teams gather for regular rugby training on Sundays, with coaches delivering a structured wellness curriculum to over 100 participants aiming to destigmatise mental health, promote preventative mental wellness strategies, and create an expanded support network.
With the support of Bloomberg Square Mile Relay, we were able to organise two touch rugby tournaments where players showcase their rugby prowess, allowing participants to feel a sense of achievement and pride, as well as display their team spirit.
HSBC Community Partnership Programme – Embrace Wellness Youth Rugby
Training Program
The impact and challenges of COVID-19 were felt across our community. Another of the groups
identified as being disproportionately impacted by these challenges was youth and their families,
particularly those from underprivileged backgrounds.
Our unique mental wellness curriculum utilises the sport of rugby to teach children valuable lessons about mental health in a safe and inclusive environment that also promotes their physical health. This engaging experiential learning content is intentionally designed to promote positive mental health practices, self-awareness, and emotional regulation skills. Through active participation in play-based learning rugby activities, guided discussions, and practical mindfulness exercises, children learn to identify and manage stress, build resilience, and foster healthy relationships. This approach offers a fresh and exciting way to promote mental wellness by taking young people out of the classroom and providing a supportive environment for them to navigate challenges, make informed decisions, and build meaningful relationships.
Supported by HSBC Community Partnership Program, we organised the HSBC Embrace Wellness
Youth Rugby Training Program. In partnership with the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups
and Revolution Sports and Recreation Club, we provided children aged between 6 – 14 years old
with regular structured rugby and mental wellness learning.
While the training sessions empower youth to nurture their own mental health, we also recognise
that parents are important stakeholders and supporters in this endeavour. With this in mind, this
year saw the launch of our first Parent Workshop for the parents of participants. We invited KELY
Support Group — an experienced NGO in youth and mental health issues in Hong Kong — to
deliver a workshop on how parents can support their children going through mental health challenges.
Coming Up: Rugby for Resilience and Wellbeing
Over the next three weeks, we highlight our ongoing Rugby for Good projects that champion wellbeing, and how we’re using sports to promote physical and mental wellbeing and nurture strong, mentally resilient communities. Also remember to check out our series on programs for social inclusion. Stay tuned!
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