Anastazie’s Story: Finding Passion and Purpose Through Rugby
For Anastazie, school felt like a cycle of boredom. “Where I’m not finding stuff engaging in school and just a bit bored all the time,” she explains. Opportunities outside of the classroom were limited, especially in Croydon, where access to different activities could be challenging.
But then, something changed. Rugby came to her school. Through TackleLondon, qualified coaches bring the game to young people who may have never had access to it before. They introduce the values of rugby: teamwork, respect, enjoyment, and discipline, giving young people a new way to learn, grow, and connect.
Anastazie was one of those students. “Anastazie first got into rugby through school. They had lessons first of all, and she’s just really taken to it like a duck to water,” her mum shares. It didn’t take long for her to fall in love with the sport. Suddenly, there was something to look forward to—a place where she felt comfortable and truly enjoyed herself. “When I’m at rugby, I feel like I’m enjoying myself and comfortable.”
More than just a game, rugby became an outlet. “So when there were those frustrations, I think it was a great opportunity to kind of channel all that emotion and get it out in a constructive way,” says Anastazie’s Mum. It gave her focus, a way to release the stress of daily life and turn it into something positive.
Beyond the pitch, the sport brought new connections.
Amy Atkinson, Manager at TackleLondon, reflects:“There are young people at this club and at many other clubs across Croydon and South London whose paths would never, ever cross if it wasn’t for rugby.” Being part of a team that included players from different schools created a new kind of community—one built on diversity, teamwork, and respect.
“Having a team with people from more than one school, I think, is more diverse because you’ve got people coming from different areas. It’s a huge leveler. It encourages young people to work together, problem-solve, to not make assumptions about one another.”
For Anastazie, rugby didn’t just become a hobby—it changed the way she saw herself. “Since I’ve started playing rugby, I think I’ve become more confident in what I do.”
Her mum has noticed it too. “I’ve seen huge growth in self-esteem.” In a place where young people can often feel limited by their surroundings, rugby provided an escape, a safe space. “Unfortunately, Croydon does have a bad reputation, but this is somewhere that she can go, a safe place, a way of letting her have some freedom. It’s okay. She’s there in a safe space, doing something good.”
And at the end of a tough day, it’s exactly where Anastazie wants to be. “If I’ve had like, a bad day or a bad week, I can come to rugby and I can play and I can have fun, and it will just make like the rest of the week better.”
For Anastazie, rugby has been more than just a sport—it’s been a pathway to confidence, connection, and a brighter future.