06 Jun 2025
Beyond the rugby pitch: opening doors and changing perspectives
At this year’s Investec Champions Cup final 10 participants in the School of Hard Knocks (SOHK) programme saw first-hand how rugby can help develop skills to achieve out of the ordinary results.
The final is a defining moment for any athlete, marking the ultimate quest for victory. Heroes are made on finals days and the 30th final of the Champions Cup was no exception. The game in Cardiff’s Principality Stadium was the culmination of months of dedication, hard work and sacrifice by all the players.
While the entire stadium was focused on the pitch, an equally momentous day was unfolding in the crowd for a group of young people from the SOHK. Ten young people who face significant personal and social challenges got to step out of their usual surroundings into a world of possibility.
The day provided an opportunity to experience the thrill of a major elite sporting event firsthand as well as the chance to be part of something much bigger than any individual. For some of the SOHK attendees, this was their first time attending an international rugby match, let alone a match of such magnitude. As the players were chasing glory on the field, the SOHK attendees were provided with a chance to dream bigger.
For some it was also a step into a new world. Yet, there was a deeper significance, it provided the chance to belong and to be inspired by the values rugby embodies.
The parallels between the teams’ determination and resilience on the pitch and the children’s own journeys are unmistakable. It is not just about rugby; it is about building character and hope.
The finals day assists in providing a catalyst for change as days of connection and aspiration are at the heart of the SOHK’s mission. The programme uses rugby as a tool to teach five key pillars of change: confidence, control, commitment, communication and cohesion and attending a major final can help these lesson take root.
SOHK is about transforming lives through a unique blend of rugby sessions, specialist mentoring and group discussion. It supports young people to overcome barriers including low self-esteem, poor emotional regulation and social exclusion.
The final is one example of how the programme goes beyond the pitch to open doors and broaden horizon. Days like the final showcase possibility and reaffirm the SOHK’s ambition to reach more young people in the coming years and create more moments to inspire, empower and transform.
As the final whistle blew in Cardiff, champions were crowned on the pitch. But for the SOHK attendees in the stands, the real victory was the opportunity to see possibility and hope. In rugby, sometimes the biggest wins take place off the pitch.
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