Rugby World Cup Through My Eyes: Episode 1

'Rugby World Cup Through My Eyes' is a blog series capturing the tournament and its inspirations from a youth perspective, showing how rugby empowers young people on and off the field.

When most people think of rugby, they imagine a fast-paced, physical sport played on muddy fields. But in Adıyaman, Türkiye, rugby has become so much more than a game. Through “Pass It Back,” the sport is being used as a tool to teach life skills, rebuild community connections, and give young people, especially girls, the confidence to take on life’s challenges.

At the heart of this movement is Ebru, a 23-year-old coach whose journey into rugby reflects both personal growth and a deep commitment to empowering her community.

Rugby arrived in Adıyaman in the wake of the devastating earthquake, at a time when schools were closed and families faced deep uncertainty. Initially unfamiliar and met with scepticism, rugby gradually became a source of hope and connection.

Parents who first hesitated began to notice how the sport for development initiative improved their children’s psychological well-being, social confidence, and overall outlook. Soon, families themselves became part of the community, watching games, sharing in activities, and supporting one another. For many, Pass It Back was the only structured activity available, and it helped bring a sense of normality, joy, and unity during a difficult recovery period.

Ebru’s Story from Adıyaman

Ebru grew up in a large family as the youngest of six siblings. With a background in Sports Science and Physical Education, she first worked as a football coach for two years. When the opportunity arose to join “Pass It Back,” she quickly realised rugby was more than just another sport. It was a way to blend athletic training with essential life skills.

After completing a coaching course and earning her Level 1 rugby certificate, Ebru became part of a growing network of coaches in Adıyaman. What drew her most was Pass It Back’s unique approach: using rugby not only to develop athletic ability but also to instil values like confidence, resilience, and teamwork.

The “Pass It Back” curriculum integrates life lessons into every training session. Through fun games, open discussions, and role modelling, children learn discipline, leadership, and awareness of their rights. Rugby becomes a mirror for life. Players face challenges, learn strategy, work as a team, and build trust in themselves and each other.

One of Ebru’s most inspiring stories involves a young girl who had struggled with self-confidence after failing in football and volleyball. At first, she found rugby intimidating. Through consistent training, encouragement, and team support, she grew not only into a capable rugby player but also into a more courageous, assertive person in her daily life.

Grassroots and Global Connections

Ebru’s journey with rugby has already taken her far beyond Adıyaman. She represented Türkiye at Grassroots to Global Connect in Sunderland, England, where she joined participants from across the world in workshops, games, and cultural exchanges. Despite a hectic visa process and the challenges of her first major international travel, the experience left her deeply motivated to continue to grow rugby at home.

She also had the honour of attending the Women’s Rugby World Cup opening game along with Grassroots to Global delegates from around the world who shared her passion and vision across an international stage. Her experiences throughout the week reinforced her belief that rugby is not just a sport but a global community bound by shared values.

Ebru is now working to establish rugby as an official sport within the region’s sports directorate, which would provide both credibility and funding. She has initiated conversations with Adıyaman University to integrate rugby into the curriculum and is organising seminars and school activities to bring the sport beyond temporary container cities resurrected following the earthquakes and into classrooms.

Her vision is clear: to make rugby accessible to every child in Adıyaman, and especially to young girls who too often face barriers in sport.

Ebru’s message to young girls is simple but powerful:

Be brave. Do not let stereotypes hold you back.
Be resilient. Mistakes are part of growth. Never give up.
Trust in teamwork. Rugby teaches solidarity, discipline, and strategy that apply to every part of life.

For coaches, she emphasises the importance of modelling these values and creating safe spaces where children can learn, grow, and discover their strength.

Ebru, right, at Grassroots to Global Connect in Sunderland.

Reflections from Chan

Rugby in Adıyaman is more than sport. It is a story of resilience, empowerment, and community healing. Thanks to leaders like Ebru and “Pass It Back,” young people are discovering confidence, courage, and belonging both on and off the pitch.

As rugby expands across schools and communities, it carries a powerful reminder. Sometimes the most impactful passes are not on the pitch, but in the lessons and values we hand forward to the next generation.

Meeting Ebru, even virtually, really showed me the power of rugby beyond the pitch. Hearing how rugby became a source of healing and confidence after the earthquake reminded me why I love this sport so much. It creates community when things feel broken.

As we welcome the Rugby World Cup to England, I feel proud that the game I play connects me to young people like Ebru and her players in Türkiye. Her advice to young girls, to be brave, resilient, and trust in teamwork, really resonates with me as a teenage girl in rugby. It pushes me to keep going when things get tough.

About the Author - Chan

Chan plays rugby for four teams and serves as a youth ambassador for the Children’s Commissioner and Action for Children. She is passionate about sharing her love of rugby with the world. As part of her Rugby World Cup experience, she is writing this blog series for ChildFund Rugby, offering a unique perspective on the tournament through the eyes of a youth rugby player in England.