Hearts Community Football Department Return to Rwanda

The Hearts Community Football Department is set to return to Rwanda this month for its fifth visit in eight years, continuing to strengthen connections and expand on both established and new programs. This initiative not only supports grassroots football development but also fosters meaningful cultural exchanges between Scotland and Rwanda.

Building Lasting Partnerships

A core aspect of this year’s visit is the partnership with Scottish Football for Rwanda (www.rwandafootball.org), a charity formed following a previous trip in 2020. This collaboration exemplifies Hearts’ commitment to enriching both nations through football, linking communities, and building sustained support for Rwanda’s football and social initiatives.

Scottish Football Clubs Join the Effort

This year’s trip has brought together coaches from Bonnyrigg Rose, Salveson, and Rosyth FC, who will share their expertise and engage in collaborative training with Rwandan counterparts. Additionally, Saltire Roofing & Building, a supporter of Hearts’ walking football program, is bringing five employees along. Together everyone will participate in various community outreach projects across the region, emphasizing Hearts’ broader commitment to social impact through football.

A Packed Itinerary of Coaching and Community Engagement

The Hearts team and their partners have a full schedule in Rwanda, including:

• Grassroots Coaching Sessions: Engaging local coaches and players in interactive sessions that highlight Scottish grassroots techniques and methodologies.
• Community Outreach Programs: Supporting local projects and interacting with community members, creating bonds that transcend football.
• Genocide Memorial Visits: Understanding Rwanda’s history through visits to key genocide memorial centers, an essential part of the cultural exchange and learning experience for the visitors.
  
  

Coach Education for Long-Term Impact

A highlight of the visit is a three-day coaching education course, supported by the Scottish FA, which will see over 30 Rwandan coaches receive certification. This training aims to enhance local coaching standards, empowering Rwandan coaches to lead impactful sessions within their communities. Former Motherwell and Dundee midfielder, and Scottish FA Coach Educator, Stuart Rafferty, will assist in delivering this course, alongside Hearts staff.

In addition, the visitors will introduce Play the Game: Street Games, a Hearts-developed initiative that promotes inclusive, community-centered football games. This program is expected to provide new content and practical ideas for Rwandan coaches to incorporate into their sessions.

Voices from the Project

Alan ‘Chalky’ White, Hearts Head of Community, reflected on the longstanding relationship with Rwanda:

“Our relationship with the people, teams, and communities in Rwanda has been a rewarding journey over the past eight years. Each visit brings new learning and friendships, and while we may not always share the same language, the language of football unites us.”

Similarly, Greig Paterson, Head of Coach Education & Development at the Scottish FA, shared his enthusiasm:

“We’re thrilled to support coaching development in Rwanda. Feedback from past sessions has been incredibly positive, and we hope this year’s course will provide valuable skills that Rwandan coaches can bring to their players.”

Acknowledgments

Hearts extends sincere gratitude to the Heart of Midlothian Shareholder’s Association and William Purves Funeral Directors for their generous contributions to this project, ensuring its continued success and impact.

This initiative underscores the profound role football can play in fostering understanding, unity, and progress across borders. Hearts is proud to remain a key part of this journey and looks forward to the future of Scottish-Rwandan football collaboration.