Sport is increasingly recognised not only as a tool for recreation but as a powerful public health intervention. DBA Africa's Tackle It programme leverages rugby as a platform to promote physical health, mental wellbeing, injury prevention and gender equity among adolescents and young people. As a sport for development organisation in Africa, DBA Africa demonstrates how rugby can contribute to healthier, safer and more empowered communities through youth development through sport.

Participation in structured sport improves cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength, coordination and metabolic health. Beyond physical benefits, sport enhances psychological resilience, stress regulation and social connectedness, which are critical determinants of overall health. Inclusive team environments where individuals of different body types, abilities and backgrounds participate further strengthen collective wellbeing and reduce exclusion-related health disparities, reinforcing the value of safe sport programmes in Africa.

A key pillar of DBA Africa's Tackle It programme is recognising that participants have unique physiological profiles. Hormonal fluctuations across the menstrual cycle influence energy levels, muscle recovery, ligament laxity and injury risk. By incorporating tailored training programmes, including strength conditioning, load management and recovery strategies, the programme supports girls in sport, promotes athlete welfare and creates safer participation environments.

Rugby, as a contact sport, carries inherent risks, including concussions, ligament injuries and overuse syndromes. Through its sport for development programmes, DBA Africa integrates structured injury prevention strategies, including:

• Strength and neuromuscular training to improve joint stability
• Safe tackling techniques to reduce impact injuries
• Recovery protocols to prevent overtraining and fatigue
• Continuous monitoring and early reporting of injuries

Health in sport extends beyond physical outcomes. Psychological safety, leadership and team culture play a critical role in shaping health behaviours. Through safeguarding in sport, mental health in youth sport and violence prevention through sport, Tackle It helps create environments where young people feel safe, supported and able to thrive.

Participants who feel safe and supported are more likely to:

• Report injuries and seek timely care
• Disclose experiences of violence or harm
• Adhere to safety protocols
• Support peers in maintaining safe practices

Tackle It also strengthens leadership development, safeguarding awareness and team accountability, encouraging participants to protect one another, promote safe play and build trust within teams. Delivered in partnership with One2One Kenya under LVCT Health, the programme connects young people to professional referral pathways where additional support is needed, reinforcing gender-based violence prevention through sport and improving safeguarding outcomes.

Through this approach, DBA Africa demonstrates that sport is not only about performance, but about building safer systems, stronger young people and healthier communities. By combining sport for development, safeguarding and health education, Tackle It continues to show how rugby can be used as a platform for lasting social change.

Written by Mary Kerubo Otero – Clinical Content Lead, Tackle It