On Friday we had the official launch for the project where every coach in each SESI unit was introduced and welcomed like a celebrity. This is no joke, I was signing autographs for the kids, having pictures taken and doing newspaper interviews, quietly smiling to myself, knowing that in ten months they will realise that the teacher is not what's special; it's the game. For the launch event they wanted to showcase a ten minute game of rugby, asking me to teach 12 of the 'smarter kids' the basics of touch. The boys took it on board well and gave a good show on the day.

Over the weekend the majority of us met up in one of the coach's cities and had some great food, a laugh and traded a few tips and stories about our first week. I'm pleased to say that everyone is settling in well and getting stuck in. We then had a long, long day in the city sorting out documents and such to make our stay in Brazil all above board. These things need to be done so we waited, and waited and waited. But both myself and Adrian won't be being sent home any time soon so it was all worthwhile in the end!

The concept of running with the ball whilst passing backwards is something that the older kids seem to struggle with as in football they stop, run away from the big scary opposition and kick it forwards. However, the skill level is most definitely there to be moulded and mastered. The little ones however, the 6 - 10 year olds are exceptional. I have yet to begin any disciplined rugby drills but have been playing fun games with rugby balls and instigating various rules and structures - such as running forward and passing backwards and even flat line defence. These guys are awesome! One nine year old girl organised a flat line defence in a game of sharks and fish (bulldog) without any prompting. Her arms went up, her mouth began to bark instructions and the other 5 sharks were lined up like pros - a little half back in the making.

Well here I leave you - next week is another week of taster sessions and workshops to generate interest in the sport and after that I begin my fixed hours of rugby sessions. That's where I get the guys and girls that want to have a go at the sport by their own choice; I can't wait! Also it has started raining, I feel so at home.

Tchau