Pass It Back Kenya: a strong first season and growing momentum for Season Two

Pass It Back Kenya has completed a successful inaugural season, creating new opportunities for young people to learn, play, lead, and connect - all powered by rugby.

Launched through a partnership between ChildFund Rugby and Kenya Rugby, supported by Menzies Aviation and DHL Express, the season marks the debut of Pass It Back in Kenya.

Since 2015, Pass It Back has been instrumental in creating positive impact with ChildFund Rugby’s global partners, with Kenya Rugby Union joining a growing movement using rugby to promote equality, inclusion, and leadership. In its first season, Pass It Back has shown what is possible when young people are given access to safe, structured, and inclusive learning through rugby.

A season with results

The inaugural Kenya Pass It Back season reached 358 players across 23 teams, with every team completing the season - more than a half of them are girls.

The season delivered encouraging outcomes for young people. Around 70% improved life skills such as self-awareness, decision-making, and relationship skills. Almost all players (96%) said they could identify someone they could turn to for help, including Coaches they saw as trusted role models, while 95% made new friends who cared about them, strengthening peer support and connection.

These results highlight how Pass It Back is helping young people build the skills, relationships, and support networks they need to thrive both on and off the field.

The season also showed Kenya Rugby’s commitment to inclusive participation. Female players made up 65% of players, and more than 50% of Coaches were female, strengthening visible pathways for girls and young women in rugby leadership.

“We are thrilled for our partners Kenya Rugby with the success of this inaugural Pass It Back season. The first season has shown strong participation and encouraging outcomes for young people,” shared Thu Le, ChildFund Rugby’s Global Partnerships Manager.

“This momentum gives us a strong foundation continuing into Season Two, and we are excited to continue working with Kenya Rugby and Menzies Aviation to expand inclusive opportunities for young people through rugby and life skills learning.”

Rugby as a platform for learning and leadership

Kenya Rugby has led the delivery of Pass It Back, training youth Coaches and supporting young players aged 11–16 through structured 90-minute sessions. These sessions blend rugby skills with on-field life skills learning, helping players learn through active participation, teamwork, and reflection.

“Pass It Back has provided a valuable opportunity to engage young people through rugby, while also helping them build important life skills and confidence,” said [Paul Odera - Bsc, BphilED, MscEM -Director Of Rugby)

“The response from players, Coaches, and communities has been extremely encouraging. We are proud of what has been achieved in the first season and excited to continue growing Pass It Back and its impact in Season Two.”

Kenya has a strong rugby tradition, with the men’s team competing in the global HSBC SVNS series and the women’s 7s team making strides toward SVNS Series qualification. Pass It Back supports the wider rugby ecosystem by helping more young people develop their skills, leadership, and connection to the sport from an early age.

Building momentum in Season Two

With a successful first season complete, Kenya Rugby launched Season Two of Pass It Back in March.

Building on the strong foundations established in the inaugural season, Pass It Back will continue to support young people through rugby and life skills learning, while strengthening pathways for youth Coaches and community leadership. A first component of the second season will be the delivery of World Rugby Level 1 qualifications in coaching and first aid for all Pass It Back Coaches, building on the foundation they have developed through Pass It Back.

As Pass It Back enters its second decade globally, Kenya Rugby’s rugby for social impact journey is gathering momentum.

Season One demonstrated the power of the model to engage, develop, and connect young people through sport. Season Two will focus on deepening those outcomes and expanding opportunities for more young people to build confidence, leadership skills, and meaningful connections - on the pitch, in their communities, and beyond.