NRFF, Nathaniel Idowu Foundation Partner to Promote Girls’ Rugby Development
By Tolulope Oguntimehin
The Nigeria Rugby Football Federation (NRFF), through its Rugby Rising Play programme, has partnered with the Nathaniel Idowu Foundation to organise a girls’ rugby development and mentorship session under the “Let Her Play” initiative.
Rugby Rising Play, an initiative of World Rugby, is designed to introduce more girls to the sport through fun, safe and progressive non-contact rugby activities, while incorporating life skills and personal development. The Let Her Play initiative, meanwhile, seeks to encourage girls’ participation in sports while promoting confidence, inclusion, personal development and positive values.
The programme brought together 80 girls, giving them the opportunity to participate in rugby while developing essential life skills and positive values. Activities combined practical rugby sessions with mentorship focused on personal hygiene, self-respect and respect for teammates.
The session was facilitated by Wuraola Hussain, a rugby coach and World Rugby educator, who stressed the importance of creating meaningful opportunities for girls to participate in sport and acquire skills that extend beyond the rugby field.
“Rugby is more than a sport. It is a platform for building confidence, discipline, teamwork and leadership. Through initiatives like ‘Let Her Play’, we are creating an environment where girls can learn, grow, express themselves and understand the value of respecting themselves and others.”
The girls were also encouraged to develop teamwork, communication, discipline, confidence and leadership through their participation in rugby and the mentorship sessions.
The partnership reflects the shared commitment of the NRFF’s Rugby Rising Play programme and the Nathaniel Idowu Foundation to using sport as a tool for youth development, inclusion and empowerment, particularly by creating more opportunities for girls to participate in sport.
The NRFF continues to expand grassroots rugby development across Nigeria, with a growing focus on providing girls and young people with access to rugby in safe, supportive and development-focused environments.