Women Leading the Way: Pass It Back Olongapo Expands Opportunities for Girls in Rugby

by Mark Villamora

​As the world celebrates Women’s Month, the continued growth of girls’ participation in rugby in Olongapo City stands as a powerful example of how sport can create opportunities, confidence, and leadership among young women. Through the Pass It Back program of the Philippine Rugby Football Union (PRFU), more girls are not only playing the sport but also stepping into leadership roles as youth coaches, helping shape the next generation of athletes.

With support from the Southeast Asia Sport and Youth Crime Prevention (SYCP) Initiative, the PRFU delivers Pass It Back, a rugby and life-skills program empowering young people and strengthening communities. In Olongapo City, the program has expanded safe opportunities for girls on and off the field.

Recent data from the Pass It Back program highlights how female participation continues to lead the way. Across three seasons of the program from August 2024 to December 2025, Pass It Back Olongapo engaged 530 youth players, with almost 60 percent being girls. Among the participants was one female player with a disability, reflecting the program’s commitment to inclusion and equal access to sport. The program also welcomed nine non-cisgender participants, showcasing its dedication to creating a safe and inclusive environment for all young athletes.

In every season, female participation has consistently outnumbered male participation. This trend shows that girls make up the majority of participants in the local program, demonstrating a strong and growing interest in rugby among young women in the community.

​Equally important is the development of female leadership within the program. Across the past three seasons, Pass It Back Olongapo has been supported by 14 female youth coaches compared to 12 male coaches. Women have consistently represented the majority of coaches in the program, reinforcing the initiative’s commitment to empowering women not only as athletes but also as mentors and leaders in sport.

Pass It Back coach training in Subic, Aug 2025

For many participants, Pass It Back is more than just a sports program. It is a platform where girls gain confidence, build friendships, and learn life skills that extend far beyond the rugby field. With more female coaches stepping up and more girls joining teams each season, the program is helping reshape the landscape of youth rugby in the Philippines.
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As Women’s Month reminds us of the importance of creating equal opportunities, Pass It Back Olongapo shows how intentional investment in girls’ sport can transform communities. By ensuring that girls have the space to play, lead, and thrive, the program continues to pass the ball forward to the next generation of women in rugby.

The PRFU would like to thank the Southeast Asia Sport and Youth Crime Prevention (SYCP) Initiative for awarding us a grant to create more opportunities for girls and young women in youth rugby. This support allows Pass It Back to create safe spaces where youth, especially girls and those at higher risk, can build confidence, develop life skills, and form positive connections, empowering young people and strengthening communities.

About Philippine Rugby Football Union
The Philippine Rugby Football Union (PRFU) is the governing body for the sport of rugby in the Philippines. Established in 1998, PRFU is dedicated to the development and promotion of rugby across the country, from grassroots to elite levels. PRFU oversees various rugby programs, competitions, and national teams, aiming to make rugby a major sport in the Philippines.

About Southeast Asia Sport and Youth Crime Prevention (SYCP) Initiative
The SYCP Initiative is a visionary and groundbreaking programme that uses sport to build safer and more resilient communities. Initiated by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Agence française de développement (AFD), the Initiative is coordinated by the Alliance of Sport in Criminal Justice (AoS) and delivered in collaboration with a wide network of national, regional and international partners.

About Pass It Back
Pass It Back is an integrated rugby and life skills learning curriculum designed by ChildFundRugby to equip children and young people to overcome challenges, inspire positive social change, and ‘pass it back’ to their communities. Through play-based learning, young people gain critical social and emotional skills that build confidence, resilience, and leadership – both on and off the field.
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About ChildFund Rugby
ChildFund Rugby, World Rugby’s Global Social Impact Partner, harnesses the power of rugby to drive positive social change, supporting children and young people in vulnerable situations to build leadership, resilience, and shape their own futures.

For inquiries, please contact: 
[email protected]​