From the Rugby Field to Community Leadership

My name is Gracious Billy Jr Chirwa and I’m 25 years old. My journey with BPF began in September 2016 – almost a decade ago when I was a teenager.

At the time, I was just a young person looking for direction. What drew me to BPF was the potential I saw not just in rugby (or sport) but in myself. I saw professionalism, unity, self-discipline and people I looked up to. I saw young people genuinely enjoying rugby at tournaments – a game not well known in my country. This all inspired me and made me believe that BPF was something I wanted to be part of and could help me grow. Most importantly, I connected with BPF’s PRIDE values: professionalism, respect, integrity, discipline and enjoyment. These values didn’t just guide how we played the sport, they shaped how we lived. They motivated me and helped me mould into the person I am today.

Over the years, I took on many roles at BPF. I served as a rugby coach, player (for Bhubesi Lions Rugby Club), Reconnect Pass It Back Coach, life-skills mentor and I was even a part-time event photographer! I embraced every opportunity to learn, serve and give back to my community.

BPF changed my life in a big way.

Everything I am doing today is rooted in the lessons, values and programs I learned with BPF. The Reconnect sessions and life skills programs built my confidence, strengthened my leadership skills and gave me a real sense of purpose. Through BPF, I learned that sport is not just about competition, it is a tool for positive change.

Because of all this, I was able to start my own fitness company and grow into a community leader. In 2023, during a Gender Based Violence awareness session delivered at BPF’s sports & education community centre, I learned how to make reusable sanitary pads. That experience opened my eyes to the challenges many girls face. Since then, every year on 28 May (International Menstrual Hygiene Day), I organise fitness fundraising events to support children from orphanages, teaching them how to make and use reusable pads.

Today, I continue to mentor young people through fitness training, rugby coaching, life-skills conversations and community outreach activities. The impact has been huge. Young people I work with are now more focused and confident. Some have joined sports teams, while others have even started small initiatives of their own.

Looking ahead, my goal is to keep growing my fitness and sports brand. I now organise hiking events with local and international visitors, run personal training programs, and I host my own rugby event: “Uncle Rugby Touch Tournament.” My goal is to expand these projects, reach more young people and become a strong national and international ambassador for sports, fitness and community development.

Bhubesi Pride Foundation has given me more than a platform… it’s given me purpose and belief. I am proud to carry that legacy forward!