Pass It Back Olongapo expands opportunities for women and girls, and helps to build safer communities
To mark the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace on 6 April 2026, projects supported by the Southeast Asia Sport and Youth Crime Prevention (SYCP) Initiative have been showcasing how their work directly supports the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In this article, Mark Villamora – Team Manager of Philippine Women’s Rugby National Team – focuses on how the Philippine Rugby Football Union’s Pass It Back programme is simultaneously helping to support SDG 5 (gender equality) and SDG 16 (peace, justice and strong institutions).
PRFU, in collaboration with ChildFund Rugby, has expanded the successful programme in Olongapo City, a primary prevention initiative using rugby to promote safer, more inclusive communities and prevent youth involvement in crime and violence. Olongapo City faces significant challenges related to youth safety and well-being. Risk factors include gang involvement, substance abuse, school drop-out and exposure to violence, particularly in low-income barangays. Opportunities for structured, positive activities outside school remain limited, leaving many exposed to unsafe environments. PRFU has an established footprint in Olongapo through earlier Pass It Back delivery, and this foundation is enabling the targeted expansion of a proven approach in communities most at risk.
Throughout March 2026 the world has been marking women’s month, and the continued growth of girls’ participation in rugby in Olongapo City stands as a powerful example of how sport can create opportunities, confidence and leadership among young women. Through the Pass It Back programme of the Philippine Rugby Football Union (PRFU), more girls are not only playing the sport but also stepping into leadership roles as youth coaches, helping shape the next generation of athletes.
With support from the Southeast Asia Sport and Youth Crime Prevention (SYCP) Initiative, the PRFU delivers Pass It Back, a rugby and life-skills programme empowering young people and strengthening communities. In Olongapo City, the programme has expanded safe opportunities for girls on and off the field.
Recent data from the Pass It Back programme highlights how female participation continues to lead the way. Across three seasons of the programme from August 2024 to December 2025, Pass It Back Olongapo engaged 530 youth players, with almost 60 per cent being girls. Among the participants was a disabled female player, reflecting the programme’s commitment to inclusion and equal access to sport. The programme also welcomed nine non-cisgender participants, showcasing its dedication to creating a safe and inclusive environment for all young athletes.
In every season, female participation has consistently outnumbered male participation. This trend shows that girls make up the majority of participants in the local programme, demonstrating a strong and growing interest in rugby among young women in the community.
Equally important is the development of female leadership within the programme. Across the past three seasons, Pass It Back Olongapo has been supported by 14 female youth coaches compared to 12 male coaches. Women have consistently represented the majority of coaches in the programme, reinforcing the initiative’s commitment to empowering women not only as athletes but also as mentors and leaders in sport.
For many participants, Pass It Back is more than just a sports programme. It is a platform where girls gain confidence, build friendships and learn life skills that extend far beyond the rugby field. With more female coaches stepping up and more girls joining teams each season, the programme is helping to reshape the landscape of youth rugby in the Philippines.
Both Women’s Month, and the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, remind us of the importance of creating equal opportunities, and Pass It Back Olongapo shows how intentional investment in girls’ sport can transform communities. By ensuring that girls have the space to play, lead and thrive, the programme continues to pass the ball forward to the next generation of women in rugby.
The PRFU would like to thank the Southeast Asia Sport and Youth Crime Prevention (SYCP) Initiative for awarding us a grant to create more opportunities for girls and young women in youth rugby. This support allows Pass It Back to create safe spaces where youth, especially girls and those at higher risk, can build confidence, develop life skills, and form positive connections, empowering young people and strengthening communities.
About Philippine Rugby Football Union: The Philippine Rugby Football Union (PRFU) is the governing body for the sport of rugby in the Philippines. Established in 1998, PRFU is dedicated to the development and promotion of rugby across the country, from grassroots to elite levels. PRFU oversees various rugby programs, competitions, and national teams, aiming to make rugby a major sport in the Philippines.
About Southeast Asia Sport and Youth Crime Prevention (SYCP) Initiative: The SYCP Initiative uses sport to build safer and more resilient communities. Initiated by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Agence française de développement (AFD), the Initiative is coordinated by the Alliance of Sport in Criminal Justice (AoS) and delivered in collaboration with a wide network of national, regional and international partners.
About Pass It Back: Pass It Back is an integrated rugby and life skills learning curriculum designed by ChildFundRugby to equip children and young people to overcome challenges, inspire positive social change, and ‘pass it back’ to their communities. Through play-based learning, young people gain critical social and emotional skills that build confidence, resilience, and leadership – both on and off the field.
About ChildFund Rugby: ChildFund Rugby, World Rugby’s Global Social Impact Partner, harnesses the power of rugby to drive positive social change, supporting children and young people in vulnerable situations to build leadership, resilience, and shape their own futures.
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