Youth Leadership Development Program “RUCK’ed” Report (1)Tackling Environmental Issues through Rugby
The first three online sessions of the RUCK’ed (Rugby Uniting Changemakers for Knowledge, Empowerment, and Development) program were held on January 5, 15, and 22.
About RUCK’ed
This program is conducted by the Japan Rugby Football Union (JRFU) with collaboration with Rugby Association of Maharashtra. For JRFU, this is also as a part of “Asian Scrum Project,” which started in 2011 as the legacy program for Rugby World Cup 2019.. It is also aligned with the “Environmental Sustainability Promotion Declaration” announced in October of this year.
RUCK’ed aims to provide youth with opportunities to tackle environmental issues through rugby, develop international leadership and management skills, and implement activities within their communities to contribute to solving social challenges through sports.
This year, 16 participants from Japan and India (eight from each country, four men and four women) were selected to join the program. The program consists of three parts: pre-departure lectures, activities in India, and post-program individual projects. The pre-departure phase includes online and weekend in-person sessions focusing on leadership, management, sports, and sustainability. The India phase, scheduled for early February, involves a one-week visit to India, where participants will observe environmental NGOs and organize the Green 7’s Cup, a sustainable rugby sevens tournament. Finally, participants will implement individual projects upon returning to their respective countries.
This report covers the three online sessions.
Session 1: Kickoff Session
The first session began with introductions from JRFU, the Rugby Association of Maharashtra, and the facilitating organization, ComMutiny – The Youth Collective. Participants introduced themselves and shared their motivations for joining RUCK’ed and their areas of interest in social issues.
The session covered the project’s objectives, schedule, and an introduction to JRFU’s “Asian Scrum Project.” Additionally, five house rules were shared to ensure a safe and inclusive environment for participants from diverse backgrounds and languages.
Despite some initial nervousness, the session allowed participants to get to know each other in an engaging and enjoyable way.
Session 2: Leadership and Management
The second session focused on leadership and management.
What is Leadership?
Lecturer: Rajesh Nandan Singh Meher (Chief Operating Officer – ComMutiny)
Mr. Rajesh Nandan Singh Meher from ComMutiny – The Youth Collective, which develops youth programs in India, led a discussion-based lecture on leadership. Participants explored the qualities of an ideal leader, the role of leadership in action, and the idea that “A leader is not a noun but a verb,” emphasizing the importance of taking initiative.
Leadership vs Management
Lecturer: Saif Ullah Khan (Partnership, Marketing & Social Impact Program – Rugby Association of Maharashtra)
In the second half, the session focused on the differences between leadership and management, introducing the method of self exploration “TATVA,” a Hindi term meaning “elements.”
Participants learned it is important to learn about theirself to take actions for the society. This framework helped participants to learn their own value, way of thinking and how to react to certain situations. Through case studies, participants discussed various scenarios, analyzing them from both leadership and management perspectives.
Participant Feedback:
“The idea that a leader is a verb rather than a noun was particularly striking.”
“I gained a new perspective on what makes a good leader. The TATVA framework will be useful not only in my personal life but also in my work.”
“TATVA as a self-analysis tool was impressive.”
Session 3: Sport for Development & Sport and Sustainability
The third session focused on the role of sports in social development and sustainability. The session featured a program staff member and three guest speakers from World Rugby and the environmental sectors in Japan and India.
Sport for Development
Lecturer: Mai Sakaguchi (International Cooperation Officer, Rugby Development, JRFU)
As participants prepared for the Green 7’s Cup, this session provided an introduction to Sport for Development, the history of this field, key stakeholders, and the differences between “sports development” and “sports for development.” The discussion emphasized on having “ the right intention” by understanding social issues and identifying scope on how to utilize sports as a tool for addressing them.
Climate Change in India and Japan
Lecturers:
Pooja R Bhale (Spiritual Ecologist and Environmental Educator, PROTECTERRA Ecological Foundation)
Ayako Takao (Climate Advocate/Climate Youth Japan/ International Christian University BA Student)
Ms. Bhale and Ms. Takao provided insights into climate change in India and Japan, highlighting how different countries have unique strategies and actions. Despite varying approaches, the session reinforced that climate change is a shared global issue requiring urgent attention.
World Rugby & Sustainability
Lecturer: Jaime McKeown (Sustainability, Diversity, and Inclusion Manager, World Rugby)
Mr. McKeown presented World Rugby’s Environmental Sustainability Plan 2030, discussing how climate change-related disasters such as floods and rising sea levels impact rugby. The session concluded with the powerful message: “The best time to act was yesterday; the next best time is now.”
Following these discussions, participants brainstormed ideas for the Green 7’s Cup, dividing into two groups: “Communication & Public Relations” and “Sustainability Activation.” They will take on key roles in running the event.
This session provided an opportunity to learn not only about rugby but also about environmental issues in Japan and India through engaging discussions with experts.
Participant Feedback:
“Understanding adaptation, mitigation, and World Rugby’s sustainability plans helped shape my approach to future projects.”
“I realized how rugby is already contributing to solving social issues. Compassion is crucial in tackling these challenges.”
“Global warming is a serious issue requiring immediate action. Learning about World Rugby’s sustainability efforts was reassuring.”
Next Steps
Following their trip to India, the final program will be held in a hybrid format, with Japanese participants meeting in person while Indian participants join online.
Stay tuned for more updates on RUCK’ed!