Grassroots to Global: Creating leaders within the community
On July 16 and 17, the Grassroots to Global Women’s Leadership Workshop Luzon took place on JML Philippines in Pasig City.
Grassroots to Global aims to create and upskill a network of girls in women in the country who can exchange ideas, share knowledge and support each other to overcome barriers and challenges. This campaign is part of the initiatives conducted by ChildFund Rugby, the principal charity of the Rugby World Cup 2021, to help spark global change for the future generations of girls and women.
The two-day workshop was attended by nominated club leaders from La Liga, Manila Nomads, Eagles RFC, SKF Mavericks, Albay Bulkans and Clark Jets. Ronalyn Molines, Janelle Rebadavia and Jhaydee Dacillo represented the Manila Nomads as club leaders, while Sha Enales served as one of the facilitators.
To ensure the safety of the participants during the event, everyone underwent Nasal Swab Antigen Testing sponsored by Be Safe MD.
DAY 1
A series of games that allowed participants to bond and get to know each other kicked the day off to a great start. Discussions began with exploring the barriers girls and women face in their community that hinder them from getting involved in rugby. The participants identified solutions to overcome these barriers and talked about the advocacy and benefits women can get from playing rugby. They also received a framework on how to communicate with different members of the community. The day ended with the club leaders planning for their upcoming rugby clinics.
DAY 2
A brainstorming session set the day in motion and allowed club leaders to determine their recruitment strategies and target participants for the rugby clinics. The president of the Philippine Rugby Football Union, Ada Milby, joined and gave some inspiring words about her story and the barriers she overcame as a female leader in a male-dominated sport. Activities included recognizing their leadership style and their strengths as leaders. The rest of the day was spent planning key messages for the rugby clinics and talking about mental health and the importance of seeking help and support.
The two-day event created and educated a close-knit group of female leaders passionate about growing rugby in the Philippines and empowering their fellow women.
The campaign didn’t end there. Each club will conduct two half-day rugby clinics in August, followed by a touch rugby festival on September 17, 2022. Be sure to follow the Manila Nomads Rugby Club on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn for more information on these events.