This is the story of how Virreyes Rugby Club has helped Lionel – turning his life from one shaped by instability, loss, and hardship into one filled with structure, support, and hope.
Life in the Villas
In the ‘Villas’ of Buenos Aires, childhood is often defined not by play or possibility, but by survival. Poverty, hunger, and violence are part of everyday life. For many children, the streets offer more danger than opportunity, with gang influence, as well as limited access to education, and unemployment trapping families in a relentless cycle of deprivation.
For Lionel, this harsh reality was no different. At just six years old, his world was already marked by instability and trauma. An accident involving his baby brother, at the same time as his father, who was struggling with unemployment and substance abuse, left the family home. Suddenly, Lionel’s mother was left to carry the full weight of providing for and caring for the family alone.
Amid this turmoil, Lionel’s behaviour began to reflect the trauma around him.
Lionel in 2018
Lionel in 2025
In 2018, Lionel was introduced to Virreyes Rugby Club. Initially, his attendance was supervised due to concerns about his behaviour, but what began as a precaution turned into so much more.
At Virreyes, Lionel found something he had been missing: consistency, safety, and care. The impact on Lionel’s life has been profound. With the stability and encouragement provided by Virreyes, his performance at school improved across all subjects.
Once struggling to cope, Lionel is now known among his teammates as the “ambassador” – representing the values of the programme. Through rugby, he has learned teamwork, respect, and resilience. These are not just lessons for the game; they are tools helping him navigate life beyond it, escaping the cycles of hardship that surround him.
Virreyes' Impact
For children like Lionel, Virreyes Rugby Club is far more than a rugby programme. It is a refuge from the instability of the Villas and a foundation for a better life. By providing meals, healthcare, educational support, and even housing assistance, the club addresses the root causes of hardship, not just the symptoms. By developing a community through rugby, Virreyes is showing children that they are stronger together and that they matter.
