Recovery through rugby

When Hatice and her family first relocated to their temporary home in Adıyaman, she became increasingly withdrawn. The earthquakes hitting Southern and Central Türkiye on February 6, 2023 not only destroyed their house, but also stripped her of her sociability, energy, and outgoing nature. 

Hatice’s mother was worried. “She became very quiet. She lost her usual spark” she shared. 

In those early days, life was filled with uncertainty. The trauma from the earthquakes and challenges of displacement weighed heavily on everyone. In a place like the Adıyaman container city, the last thing anyone expected to find was a rugby ball – rugby had never been part of this region before. 

But rugby arrived and it brought back Hatice’s spirit. 

The sport was first introduced in Adıyaman in July, 2023 through Pass It Back Recovery – an initiative led by Türkiye Ragbi Federasyonu (TRF) in partnership with ChildFund Rugby, to support children and young people impacted by earthquakes in February that year. Through Pass It Back, children and young people ahad the opportunity to play tag rugby, while building connections and developing peer networks after the disaster.

Since Pass It Back started, Hatice hasn’t missed a single session. Every weekend, she joins her friends as they head to the training venue together. They are all excited to pass the ball, run, and score.  

“I enjoy playing rugby – it is fun” Hatice shared with excitement. The once-reserved girl seems to have disappeared.

Being part of a team has also been especially meaningful for Hatice, and she appreciates the impact it has had on her. “When I score a try, my friends cheer for me. That’s the best feeling. They believe in me, and I believe in them. We push each other to do better, and that makes us stronger, together.” 

Noticing the positive change in her daughter, Hatice’s mother can’t hide her happiness. “Playing rugby brought back her spirit. I saw her determination grow with each training session. She was running with such passion, something I hadn’t seen in her before.” She shared, her eyes sparkling with joy.

Hatice (wearing a beige hijab) with her teammates during a Pass It Back session.

Rising above challenges

At first, like other girls in her community, Hatice was hesitant and afraid to try. 

“In my community, sports like rugby are often seen as something for boys, and I used to believe that too. Plus, I wear a hijab, so I wasn’t sure if rugby was for me. I was scared of being judged or discriminated against if I played,” Hatice reflects. “Even my father had doubts about letting me join.”

But with encouragement from her Coach, Hatice decided to take the leap.

“My Coach Gülsüm has been supportive and encouraging. She told us to stay strong and that we’ll overcome this together, we’ll get there and succeed together. She told us that anyone can play rugby.” 

Coach Gülsüm (in the middle, wearing a beige hijab), Hatice’s Coach, with her players during a Pass It Back session.

As her initial hesitation faded, Hatice realised she can do anything as long as she set her mind to it.

“Once I started, something changed in me. My self-esteem grew, and I wanted to push forward. The friendships I built and the welcoming training atmosphere made me feel at ease. I began to feel that I truly belonged. I realised that girls can play rugby too. I now believe there’s so much more I can do.”

This newfound sense of belonging and confidence has impacted other areas of Hatice’s life. “Pass It Back has taught me so much – respect, discipline, teamwork, and to never give up. Even when I was shy, I kept pushing myself. Now, I feel stronger and more confident, not just in rugby, but also in my daily life.”

Her father, who initially had reservations, is now one of her strongest advocates. “Her father was worried at first, but now he encourages her every step of the way. He’s seen how playing rugby has changed Hatice for the better, and he believes in her,” Hatice’s mother proudly shared. 

Hatice (wearing a black hijab) with her teammates during a Pass It Back competition.

Breaking barriers 

Hatice is excited to see the impact that she and her teammates are having on her community. “In my town, now more girls are watching and joining [Pass It Back] because they see that other girls can do it. I want to show them that girls can be strong, fast, and capable. It can be scary in the beginning, but it will be fine.”

Hatice’s Coach, Gülsüm, has witnessed her transformation firsthand and is impressed. “Hatice isn’t just playing rugby – she is also leading it. She would always think two steps ahead, coming up with strategies during the games and motivating her teammates. It’s been incredible to watch her grow from a shy girl into a confident leader. She’s breaking barriers for other girls in the community, showing them that they can do anything boys can.”

“I am a girl. I wear a hijab. I play rugby. And I’m proud of it,” Hatice said with determination. “If anyone tries to tell me I shouldn’t play, I’d tell them to watch and see – see how I will succeed.” 

Dreams beyond the pitch

Besides participating in Pass It Back, Hatice is also a player of the Adıyaman Rugby Sport Club, the city’s first-ever rugby club, built on the foundation laid by Pass It Back. 

She has big dreams. She wants to become a Pass It Back Coach, and also dreams of becoming a professional player, representing Adıyaman and playing for the National team one day. 

“Rugby changed me. And I think rugby will always have a place in my future. I want to be like my coaches one day – teaching girls to be confident in themselves, that they can play rugby and that they can lead. I want to support younger girls the way I was supported to grow stronger through rugby.” 

About Pass It Back Recovery

ChildFund Rugby partners with National Governing Bodies to use rugby as a powerful tool to create positive social impact, and enable children and young people to play, learn, and lead.

Union partners use Pass It Back, a set of integrated rugby and life skills learning products, to enable children and young people in vulnerable communities to have opportunities to learn critical social and emotional skills, which ensure they are better equipped to overcome challenges, be role models, and inspire positive social change in their communities.

Pass It Back Recovery – Türkiye is delivered through a partnership between the Turkish Rugby Federation and ChildFund Rugby. Pass It Back Recovery supports players to build peer networks, set goals and develop healthy habits in times of disaster recovery.

Pass It Back Recovery – Türkiye has been generously supported by World Rugby and Beyond Sport, together with W Rugby and DHL Express, as well as by ChildFund Rugby supporters from across the world.

Türkiye Ragbi Federasyonu is the national governing body for rugby in Türkiye. Türkiye Ragbi Federasyonu is a full member of Rugby Europe and World Rugby.

ChildFund Rugby is World Rugby’s global Social Impact Partner, a multi-year partnership that builds on previous partnerships across four consecutive Rugby World Cup events.