Rower backs Right to Play

Canadian Olympian and world champion rower Jane Rumball knows about fundraising. She has actively raised money for cancer research and is now fully involved in Right to Play.  

Rumball recently returned from Kampala, Uganda as part of Right to Play, a charity that uses athletes to bring sport and play to disadvantaged children. She talks to World Rowing about how she got involved in the charity.

World Rowing: How did you get involved with Right to Play?

Jane Rumball: I was at a sports celebrity dinner and at a head table with a number of sports figures from around Ontario, Canada. The keynote speaker was Johann Olav Koss, who is the founder and current president/CEO of Right to Play. His story about why he got involved and his motivation to see kids develop through sport was inspirational. I had been looking for ways to give back with my platform in sport and this seemed like the perfect fit. I spoke to Johann and got in touch with the Canadian directors, and two weeks later I was giving my first talk to raise funds for them.

WR: Is there any special connection between rowing and Right to Play?

JR: No, but it just so happens that a lot of rowers seem to get involved with Right to Play. We have many Right to Play Athlete Ambassadors that come from our sport, which I think speaks to the generosity and passion that rowers’ exhibit. We are always wanting to give back!

WR: Why was Uganda chosen?

JR: Right to Play tries to send an Athlete Ambassador to the field at least once to be able to see what is going on right at the site. We do a lot of speaking engagements and it changes everything to have seen things first hand. Uganda was the next project on the list and it worked with my schedule to be able to go. I was thrilled because it was the country I have most wanted to visit when I knew that I may actually be able to go to Africa someday. I have friends who have gone and everyone who goes there comes back a changed (and better!) person.

WR: What was the reception like for you in Kampala?

JR: I can't overstate how friendly and unassuming the Ugandan people are. They are reserved and gentle, but extremely passionate about making their country a better place. The Right to Play staff stationed in Kampala inspired me so much. They are so dedicated to their cause and you can see the passion in their eyes.

WR: What did you do in Uganda and what was Right to Play able to do in Kampala?

JR: I was in Uganda for five days and the majority of the time was spent visiting the various projects in Kampala and the Nakivale refugee camp near Mbarrara. We played with the kids, met with various leaders and visited organisations like the Ugandan National Association of the Blind and the Ugandan Society for Disabled Children to see firsthand how Right to Play partners with them to help children deal with the many challenges that face them.

WR: Did you get to visit the Ugandan rowing team?

JR: I had one afternoon with the Ugandan rowing team and it was wonderful to visit them. FISA has helped them develop their rowing federation by providing equipment and specialized coaching. I just gave a short talk, showed them my gold medal from Worlds in 2006 and met with some of the budding rowers-to-be. They row on Lake Victoria, on a beautiful site. They do have goals of competing on the world stage in the near future, and I think with the kind of motivation I saw when I was down there, I can envision it happening. They are in the process of finding boat storage and building docks, and the mood is very uplifting.

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