By Gary Anderson

November 27 - Rugby is being introduced to schools across Rio to generate interest and support ahead of Rio 2016 © IRBMore Brazilians than ever are taking up rugby ahead of the sport's re-introduction to the Olympic Games at Rio 2016, according to the International Rugby Board (IRB), as schools programmes attract more and more youngsters.

The IRB claims that, as part of its worldwide Get into Rugby campaign, 10,000 new players have taken up rugby in Brazil since its launch in April, with almost half of being female.

The governing body also claims more than 175,000 new participants have been introduced to the game globally across 50 Unions and 1,000 locations as a result of the Get into Rugby programme.

Running alongside this programme, the Brazilian Rugby Union (CBRU) and the education department of Rio 2016 have been implementing campaigns in public schools across the city, to introduce rugby to children and generate interest in the sport as it returns to the Olympic programme after its last appearance at Paris 1924.

One of the schools to benefit from the drive to popularise rugby is the Guimarães Rosa Municipal School, in the Magalhães Bastos neighbourhood, which is close to the Deodoro region of Rio, where the Olympic rugby sevens competition is scheduled to take place.

Physical education teachers in Rio schools are being trained to deliver rugby sessions to pupils by the CBRU and Guimarães Rosa teacher Lucia Imbrosio is one of those trying to gain a foothold for the sport which faces stiff competition from football and volleyball, traditionally the most popular sports in Brazil.

Pupils at the Guimarães Rosa Municipal School in Rio took part in rugby coaching sessions run by the Rio 2016 Organising Committee and the CBRU © IRBPupils at the Guimarães Rosa Municipal School in Rio took part in rugby coaching sessions run by the Rio 2016 Organising Committee and the CBRU ©IRB




























"It was love at first sight," said Imbrosio, who runs sessions for sixth and seven graders at the school.

"The children really identify with the sport.

"It makes them happy.

"Matches aren't quiet.

"On the contrary, they are very active.

"And at their age, running is what they enjoy the most.

"We started by providing lessons for sixth graders and we'll gradually introduce them to students from other grades.

"Also, because they see other children playing, the kids get curious and want to participate as well."

Last month, children from the Guimarães Rosa Municipal School took part in the "Rugby is our Passion" project run by the Rio Rugby Foundation and supported by Rio 2016.

Rugby players and coaches from the Rio Rugby Foundation projects in the Rocinha and Cantagalo favelas put on fun coaching sessions and games for children on Flamengo beach and were joined by Brazilian national rugby team captain Fernando Portugal and former World Sevens Player of the Year, Englishman Ollie Phillips.

Brazilian captain Fernando Portugal has backed the schools campaigns to unearth future stars for the national team © Getty Images Brazilian captain Fernando Portugal has backed the schools campaigns to unearth future stars for the national team ©Getty Images

























Portugal is fully supportive of the schools programmes and believes that introducing the game to children at a young age will help to mould the next generation of Brazilian rugby players who will go on to play in future Olympic Games.

"We're looking for new talents for the national team and there's nothing better than introducing the sport in Brazilian schools," said Portugal, who will be hoping to lead his side on home soil in 2016.

"I believe that we'll reap the benefits of this effort."

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