The "All Schools" Programme

On Saturday 3rd November 2018, Patricio Albacete, Marcelo Loffreda and Les Cusworth, all highly decorated international rugby stars, joined the British Ambassador Mark Kent, and Sally Pettipher, Atlas CEO to launch a rugby education programme for kids from some of the poorest neighbourhoods in Buenos Aires.

The Atlas Foundation "All Schools" Programme is a proven model that:

• improves behaviour and academic success at school
• reduces crime and anti-social behaviour out of school
• creates access to jobs beyond school

Local Headteacher Gustavo Bidegain from School #9 in Hurlingham said “We introduced rugby three months ago with the help of Tomy Walker from Curupyati Rugby Club, we are noticing improvements in children’s behaviour already. This will make a difference to their school work and to their future employment. I am not a rugby person but I am convinced by the evidence that it works well as a social development tool.”

All Schools impacts

• In the US, it has doubled graduation rates and eliminated teenage pregnancies
• In Asia, it is increasing graduation rates from 15% to 90%
• In Africa, young players are getting work in the fitness and security industries

Buenos Aires

In Buenos Aires, Atlas is working with four rugby clubs: Hurling, Retiro, Curupayti and Virreyes. Each club has a rugby manager working in state schools in the surrounding neighbourhoods, helping spread the ethic and discipline of rugby, and welcoming new players to their clubs to further embed the values of the game with these children.

Further to the success had off the field in improving the lives of the children who come to us in Buenos Aires, Virreyes RC has had noted success on the field. The club has had two promotions in the last three years and is currently second and fighting for promotion again this year.

See their story here: 

Juan "Chipi" and Trini Figallo raised the profile of the project with international media, and Patricio Albacete, former puma second row, joined Atlas to support this important programme.

It costs £1,000 to work with 100 children in each of 15 neighbourhoods for a year. That is only £10 per child per year, and yet the values and support of rugby last a lifetime.

Salta

Our Argentinian champion, Chipi Figallo, comes from Salta. Located in the north, it is one of the poorest provinces in Argentina. Atlas would like to support work there under the leadership of Marcelo Cordova.

Chipi has created an Atlas fund to raise £15,000 for this programme and 100% of every donation will go to help these kids. Please consider giving generously HERE.