1000 Hills Rugby Hosts a Successful Communication Skills Workshop for Youth

On Saturday, April 19th, 1000 Hills Rugby proudly hosted a powerful and engaging Communication Training Workshop for over 40 of its young beneficiaries aged 16 to 35. The workshop, themed "Communication as a Life Skill and for Job Readiness" aimed to equip participants with one of the most essential soft skills for both life on the rugby field and in professional work environments: “effective communication.”
The training was not just another workshop, it was a transformational experience for everyone who attended.

From the very beginning, the energy was high. The session opened with warm introductions and a light hearted icebreaker, setting a relaxed and interactive tone for the rest of the day. Each part of the schedule was carefully designed to make communication relatable, practical, and real.
Facilitated by a team of passionate trainers: Hellen Konyango, Diabekwele Junior, Serge Shema, JD Nsengiyumva, and Jimy Mugabo, the workshop blended short talks, group discussions, scenario-based learning, and role plays. Each facilitator brought a unique lens to the conversation, drawing from their experiences in sport, education, and leadership.
Participants were fully engaged throughout. Whether discussing real-life miscommunications, practicing mock interviews, or working through rugby field misunderstandings, every beneficiary had the chance to reflect, speak, and grow.

The role play session emerged as the most impactful moment of the workshop. Participants were divided into small groups and given real-life scenarios drawn from both rugby and workplace settings. They acted out situations such as:
• A player misunderstanding the coach’s instructions and how it affected team performance
• A young person attending a job interview but struggling to express themselves confidently
• A teammate failing to listen, resulting in conflict during a match
• An example of respectful vs. disrespectful body language in team meetings

Laughter, learning, and genuine insight filled the room as participants immersed themselves in these scenarios. It was through these experiences that the true impact of both effective and poor communication became clear. One participant shared afterward: “This session made me realize that how I speak and listen matters just as much as what I know. I saw myself in the scenarios we acted out.”

The facilitators walked the participants through practical communication topics such as:
• Why communication is key for rugby teamwork and employability
• How to give and receive clear instructions
• What makes a message effective (clarity, honesty, simplicity)
• Verbal and non-verbal communication techniques
• The importance of listening not just to hear, but to understand
• How communication builds trust, culture, and leadership
These were not abstract theories, they were deeply connected to the lived experiences of our youth.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Hellen, Diabekwele, Serge, JD, and Jimy, each of you gave your time, energy, and expertise to make this session meaningful. You brought not just knowledge but also empathy, clarity, and practical tools that our youth can carry forward into their rugby journey and professional lives.

This workshop was more than a training, it was a step toward building stronger communicators, teammates, and professionals. At 1000 Hills Rugby, we believe that sport is a platform for personal development, and this workshop reminded us how foundational communication is to everything we do on the field, at school, in interviews, and in life.
We look forward to seeing the lessons from this workshop in action as players listen better, speak with more confidence, and support each other both on and off the field.
This is just the beginning.

Interested in partnering with us or supporting future life skills training? Contact us at info@1000hillsrugby.rw or visit our website for updates.
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