Through rugby and golf, Associação Hurra fosters educational pathways for young people in Brazil
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By Alexandra Flores and Ros Dumlao | For Laureus Sport for Good
Alexsandre struggled with motivation. He wouldn’t complete tasks at school or home if they became difficult. He felt stuck in a mundane telemarketing job. And when he lost someone he loved, he wanted to give up on everything. But Associação Hurra helped him change his attitude and behaviour.
The São Paulo-based organisation, supported by Laureus Sport for Good, was founded in 2009 by a group of people from the sports and education sector. It aims to promote human development and disseminate values of education through sports – specifically rugby and golf – to young people in vulnerable contexts, applying UNESCO's integral education methodology ('be, live, know, and do').
Sport provides a safe, structured environment for young people to develop their potential and learn teamwork. Through healthy competitions, participants learn to deal with victories and defeats, understanding the importance of continuous effort and ethical conduct.
Alexsandre joined Hurra’s rugby educational sessions in 2015 and gradually advanced through various roles within Hurra, starting as a student-athlete guided by Hurra teachers, then participating as a referee, and eventually coaching youth in the programme.
Now, almost a decade later, Alexsandre is giving back as an educator while simultaneously pursuing a degree in physical education.
Sport provides a safe, structured environment for young people to develop their potential and learn teamwork. Through healthy competitions, participants learn to deal with victories and defeats, understanding the importance of continuous effort and ethical conduct.
Alexsandre joined Hurra’s rugby educational sessions in 2015 and gradually advanced through various roles within Hurra, starting as a student-athlete guided by Hurra teachers, then participating as a referee, and eventually coaching youth in the programme.
Now, almost a decade later, Alexsandre is giving back as an educator while simultaneously pursuing a degree in physical education.
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“I'm constantly learning from the educators and the people involved in the centres, and that gives me immense personal satisfaction,” said Alexsandre. “If rugby hadn't come into my life, it's likely that today I'd be stuck in an unhappy life.”
“The dedication I learned to have in rugby has been reflected in all areas of my life,” he continued. “Sport taught me to persist, seek progress and work towards my goals.”
He highlighted the positive environment the programmes’ leaders created and the trainings he received, making him hungry to continue learning.
"I am certain that I can go beyond the expectations that someone from the outskirts of São Paulo,” he said. “This change has given me the certainty that I am capable of achieving much more than I, or anyone, could have imagined."
In 2024, Associação Hurra reached 414 direct participants. By incorporating extra educational support programmes into their approach, Hurra impacted 100 of those participants, encouraging them to become agents of change in their communities.
“Hurra has opened countless doors for me, from the opportunity to take English language courses to helping me achieve my dream of studying Physical Education at university,” Alexsandre said.
Image credits: Hurra
“The dedication I learned to have in rugby has been reflected in all areas of my life,” he continued. “Sport taught me to persist, seek progress and work towards my goals.”
He highlighted the positive environment the programmes’ leaders created and the trainings he received, making him hungry to continue learning.
"I am certain that I can go beyond the expectations that someone from the outskirts of São Paulo,” he said. “This change has given me the certainty that I am capable of achieving much more than I, or anyone, could have imagined."
In 2024, Associação Hurra reached 414 direct participants. By incorporating extra educational support programmes into their approach, Hurra impacted 100 of those participants, encouraging them to become agents of change in their communities.
“Hurra has opened countless doors for me, from the opportunity to take English language courses to helping me achieve my dream of studying Physical Education at university,” Alexsandre said.
Image credits: Hurra
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Associação Hurra is one of many organisations support by Laureus Sport for Good, using the power of sport specifically as educational and developmental tools to transform children and young people and their communities. In 2024, Laureus saw more than 70,000 young people participated in Laureus-supported programmes.
Read more in the 2024 Impact Report
Read more in the 2024 Impact Report
