Community Outreach
A club that gives back!
Rugby has the power to unite, inspire, and uplift. Through our outreach, we bring its values of teamwork, respect, and community to those who need it most.
At BBRFC Celtic, rugby is more than a game—it's a way to give back. Our Outreach initiatives focus on making a positive impact beyond the pitch, from supporting local charities to introducing the sport to children from underprivileged backgrounds. Through these projects, we aim to share the values of teamwork, respect, and inclusivity with our broader community. Explore this page to see how we’re using rugby to change lives and how you can get involved in our mission!
School Visits
BRFC Celtic coaches visit schools across the Brussels region, including those attended by our players, to offer rugby training opportunities throughout the academic year. These sessions take place during lunchtimes, after exams to help students destress, and on sports days. Our youth players serve as ambassadors for the sport, representing both rugby and our inclusive, multicultural club. Their role inspires newcomers to approach the club with confidence and give rugby a try.
Consider having your school or group participate!
Some of our partner schools are:
Collège Saint-Michel, Etterbeek
Institut Saint-André, Ixelles
Notre Dame des Champs, Uccle
Koninklijk Atheneum Etterbeek
Sint-Jan Berchmanscollege, Brussel
Sint-Jozefscollege, Woluwe Saint Pierre
European School in Uccle I, Woluwe II, Ixelles III and Laeken IV.
Lycée français Jean Monnet, Uccle
International School of Brussels, Watermael-Boitsfort
British School of Brussels, Tervuren
Brussels Junior Academy, Etterbeek
Give rugby a try!
At Sint-Jozefscollege, Woluwe Saint Pierre 40 kids signed up to try rugby.
Joanne de Graaff, Rugby School Representative with BBRFC Celtic Rugby School Director Eoghan Quinn, EEB III Physical Education Teacher Georgios Chantzis and Rugby Vlaanderen’s Koen van den Elsen during a lunchtime session at the European School in Ixelles (EEB3.)
International tournaments
In addition to training twice a week and playing matches on weekends, our coaches and parent volunteers organize trips to international tournaments during long weekends and holidays. These trips provide opportunities for players to bond as a team during bus journeys and to broaden their horizons. The tournaments themselves are well-organized, competitive, and a lot of fun!
Upcoming tours/tournaments:
U8/U10 - Linlithgow RFC, Edinburgh, Scotland
U12 - Germany
U14 - Vyskov club, Czech Republic
U16 - Champagne Tournament, Provins, France
U18 - 7’s Tournament, Lisbon, Portugal
Bon voyage!
U12 during long weekend tournament visiting the Toulouse Space Centre in May 2024
U12 in 2008 at the 'Champagne tournament' in Provins, France.
U12 in 2024 in Toulouse, France.
Mentoring
Our coaches, along with members of the men’s and women’s teams, also deliver coaching and mentoring for community initiatives that empower young people from socially disadvantaged backgrounds, such as TADA vzw, a Brussels-based learning network. We hope these children will join our youth players and benefit from the supportive and nurturing environment our club provides.
Orbit Rinya
Furthermore, we have extended our outreach to Kenya through our alumni ‘BBRFC Old Boys’ charity called ‘Orbit Rinya.’ The charity supports rugby programs and schools in remote villages and city orphanages, and sends our youth on exchange programs there.
Over the last 13 years, we have raised almost €100k by organising an annual golf tournament, holding several quizzes and many generous donations. The money we have raised has made a small but significant difference to many young children by supporting various sporting and educational projects.
Orbit Committee representatives:
Vivian Auer
Martin Blackwell
Stuart Cummings
Sean MacMahon
Peter Moore
Abel Onyonyi
James Parker
Support for Ukraine
We have also traveled to Ukraine to deliver supplies and provide soldiers with a day off from fighting, giving them the opportunity to enjoy a ‘normal Saturday’ playing rugby on the field.
Steven Odding, loosehead prop in the BBRFC Celtic Men’s team travelled from Brussels to Ukraine with 27 rugby players and Dutch charity ‘Protect Ukraine’ to deliver seven vehicles loaded with critical medical supplies and to give soldier rugby players their first game of rugby in 2 years.
