The IRB Junior World Championship in Argentina represents, for the International Rugby Board, a tournament that must have "a before and an after" for Rugby in the region.

Legacy programmes are a key element of all IRB Age Grade tournaments and a plan has been put in place in Argentina, reaching more than 70,000 children in the barrios (neighbourhoods) and schools of the three host cities: Rosario, Paraná and Santa Fe.

This legacy plan has four programmes: One club, one country, Y ou can also become a Puma, Rugby in the neighbourhoods and Rugby at schools. The goal is to take rugby into schools and neighbourhoods, while ensuring the Game's values reach different social spheres.

"The Junior World Championship is a high performance event with players that are either professionals or on the verge of becoming so," explained IRB Tournaments Manager Philippe Bourdarias.

"For the IRB it is also a development tool. We ask Host Unions to prepare a legacy plan involving activities with teams at clubs or schools so that there is a before and an after for this tournament."

Rugby's values

Oscar Morales, Executive Director of the Legacy Programme, added: "We want to involve children in a sport that develops respect, sportsmanship and integration. It can be played by children of all heights and weights. We are also including girls as from 2016 Rugby will again be an Olympic Sport involving men and women."

The 12 participating teams - Argentina, Australia, England, Fiji, France, Ireland, New Zealand, Samoa, Scotland, South Africa, Tonga and Wales - will all attend organised activities with local children during the tournament.

In Rosario alone, more than 30,000 students from state-run schools and clubs have taken part in the Legacy Programme Rugby at Schools, while in Santa Fe and Paraná almost 70 schools are involved, meaning 18,000 more students having been introduced to the Game through Tag Rugby, under the supervision of UAR-trained teachers.

The second stage will see local clubs become involved, inviting boys and girls to join them, multiplying the number of potential players in the Litoral region.

"We are delighted with the programme and how it fits with our clubs. It was a long-standing desire we had. And our aim which is to involve more and more children in a sport we love," said Pedro Benet, President of the Unión Santafesina de Rugby.

Speaking volumes for Rugby

In the third stage, clubs and schools in the same districts were first put in contact. Teachers were coached to enable them to teach the Game at their schools and, finally, children will play for their local clubs.

Aimed at children aged from 10 to 15 and using Tag Rugby - which involves no physical contact - some 25,000 children have been meeting in municipal playgrounds and playing the game during their school holidays. These children are then invited to join local clubs.

While the future stars of Rugby will play in the IRB Junior World Championship to determine the best Under 20 team in the world, thousands of boys and girls have also been invited to attend matches at the tournament, which runs from 5-21 June.

"This is great. It speaks volumes for what Rugby stands for and its interest in social inclusion. It is not an isolated sport, but one worried with education and development that has a deep root in society and tries to carry the same message to everybody," said Prof. Alfredo Fasce, President of Club Universitario de Buenos Aires.

The arrival of competing teams will enhance these programmes; students in the Litoral region will be able to meet and learn from players from different countries and cultures. From powers such as France or England to small nations like Samoa and Tonga, all part of a sporting brotherhood. All thanks to Rugby.

The programmes:

Un club, un país (One club, one country): Each club will host a national team, from their arrival ensuring their hospitality stands out, studying their customs, dressing up the clubs and forging friendship ties to ensure players are made to feel comfortable and their visit is an everlasting memory.

Vos también podés ser Puma (You can also become a Puma): Activities will take place with former Pumas and Pumitas from the region. They will speak at schools, institutions and in the neighbourhoods, telling their story and speaking about the values of rugby.

El rugby en los barrios (Rugby in the neighbourhoods): The three host cities, together with the three provincial unions, developed a plan to take rugby to every corner, every neighbourhood, and ensure children are part of the IRB Junior World Championship, with tickets, meetings and training sessions. This is coordinated with the Sports and Social Development areas at the municipalities.

Rugby en las escuelas (Rugby at schools): With the same purpose, but a different format, schools in the region add rugby to their curriculum, using the IRB Junior World Championship as an excuse to bring the Game to the students.