Improving lives through sport

Sport is one of the most powerful tools to foster community development. Photo: Zoomfiji

A fomer colleague recently sent me a paper that I presented many moons ago on the power of sport to change lives for the better in small and developing countries. Whilst many of the examples in the paper, as well as some of the statistics, are dated - the hypothesis remains exactly the same today. That is - that sport remains one of the most powerful tools to foster community development in developing countries (indeed in all countries).

You can read the paper here to see my thoughts on the role of sport in developing communities and how I believe it should be used more in international aid programs to foster stronger communities. The paper was written on the basis of my experiences in the Pacific Islands and East Timor.

I recently read a piece by Australia's Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Julie Bishop, arguing for a stronger sporting diplomacy program under the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. You can read the Deputy Leader's piece by clicking here. I completely agree and I wish there was a great impetus amongst international donor countries to use sport to develop communities in developing countries around the world.

I'm very interest in the thoughts of others on this matter.

Samoa Rugby Union High Performance Facility Open for Business

The Prime Minister of Samoa opens the new SRU High Performance and Administration facilities

On Friday 19 August 2011, the Samoa Rugby Union High Performance Facility was opened by the Prime Minister and President of the Samoa Rugby Union, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi and IRB Council Member, Peter McGrath. The Press Release on the opening can be found here.

It was a grand occasion and a cause for great celebration in a country where Rugby World Cup fever has gripped the nation since their stunning win over the Wallabies last month. The opening has further mobilised a country which genuinely believes it has the team to rock the foundations of Rugby World Cup which kicks off next month in New Zealand.

Here are some photos of the new facility, and the opening, with thanks to IRB High Performance Manager Peter Horne who, thankfully, is a much better High Performance Manager than he is a photographer!

Enjoy.

One of two accommodation dorms which will provide accommodation for 90 athletes

It wouldn't be a Samoan celebration without a feast

The new Gymnasium and accommodation block

One of two ice baths that have been installed

The National Sevens team pose in front of the new facility

IRB Council Member, Peter McGrath

Samoa's New High Performance Rugby Facility to open next week

The SRU has started moving into the new gymnasium

Gymnasium and Accommodation Block

The hallway of the accommodation block

We are now in August and the Manu Samoa Rugby World Cup preparation camp starts this week as the final countdown to New Zealand 2011 starts. With the taste of Wallaby blood now just a pleasant aftertaste, the Manu Samoa's gaze is now fixed firmly on the main prize - and what better way to prepare than in a brand new High Performance Facility.

Meeting Room

Ice Baths have been set up in two recovery centres

The administration facility is complete and the gymnasium and accommodation block will be completed this week - with the SRU moving into the new facility over the next week. The formal opening of the facility will be on 13 August and by this time, the gym and administration facility will be fully operational.

Some late changes to the accommodation block - such as the inclusion of a recreation room and study, has pushed back the completion of the accommodation facility by a couple of weeks.

Samoan rugby is riding a wave of optimism now and the opening of the new High Performance facility next week will be a great celebration that will further mobilise a proud rugby nation ahead of Rugby's showpiece event.