„HERA Project“ 3rd Project meeting, 2nd HERA Camp and 2nd HERA Workshop!

16th – 18th June 2023, Ljubljana, Slovenia Rugby club Ljubljana hosted partner rugby club HARK Mladost from „HERA Project“ for the 3rd Project meeting, 2nd HERA Camp and 2nd HERA Workshop!

“Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.”

Participants of 2nd HERA Camp

The "HERA Project" (The Health-Enhancing Rugby Activities Project) is a two-year project sponsored by the European Union that brought together two rugby clubs from two European Union countries; rugby club HARK Mladost and rugby club RK Ljubljana. HARK Mladost is leading partner in this cooperation. The main goal of the project is to tackle overweight health problems with kids, through specific tailored programs in rugby clubs that deal with physical activities, nutrition and mental health of youngsters.

The weekend 16th - 18th of June 2023 was reserved for the following project activities: 3rd Project meeting, 2nd HERA Camp and 2nd HERA Workshop.

At the 3rd Project meeting project management staff from both partners had, as the main topic, informed each other about all past activities during M1 (June 2022) – M11 (May 2023) period of the HERA Project. The plan of activities for the 2nd HERA Camp were discussed. Partners has presented to each other developed action plans specific to HARK Mladost and RK Ljubljana, that will serve as basis for developing the general action plan that will serve to general rugby clubs to incorporate HERA Project into their everday activities. Activities on developing and testing of the HERA program were discussed between partners. The HERA Program will be available to general public and all rugby clubs at the end of all project activities as a result of the HERA Project. The HERA Program will serve to all rugby clubs that are willing to deal with physical activities, nutrition and mental health of kids and youngsters, including SCforH (Sports Clubs for Health) principles into their regular activities. Details about planned 2nd HERA Workshop were also discussed.

HERA Project consortium management staff during 3rd Project meeting

Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th of June 2023 were reserved for the main event named „2nd HERA Camp“ with the goal of Promotion of rugby as HEPA (Health-Enhancing Physical Activity) with kids and youngsters up to 16 years of age, coaches and volunteers from both partner clubs.

Saturday morning rugby training at Rugby Ljubljana pitch

After joint Saturday morning training on the Rugby Ljubljana pitch, all participants went on a walking and hiking session so that the importance of general physical activities was emphasised and introduced to all participants of the 2nd HERA Camp. After a walking and hiking tour, all participants returned to Ljubana rugby club and shared their experiences about conducted activities.

Walking and hiking activity (Rugby Ljubljana – Šmarna gora -RK Ljubljana)

Saturday evening was reserved for free time, so the visiting club went on a cycle tour and swimming pool in which all participants spent any leftovers of saved energy after earlier sports activities at the HERA camp that day.

Afternoon free time

The second day of HERA Camp was reserved for all sorts of sports games related to rugby (touch rugby, rugby border guard game, rugby relay race). After sports activities all participant had lunch at which they shared their experiences during 2nd HERA Camp.

On Sunday the 2nd HERA Workshop for management staff and coaches was held after the sports activities finished at HERA Camp. Participants had a workshop with the topic of implementing the HERA Programme in local rugby clubs.

2nd HERA Workshop management staff and coaches

At the end of the weekend all participants from both partners expressed their satisfaction about the whole weekend's events and enthusiasm for next HERA Camp that will be held in Ljubljana, in December 2023 that will conclude all activities of participants with a 3rd Workshop on promoting the benefits of the HERA Programme for youth.

“Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.”