Transforming lives through the values of rugby

Rugby continues to be at the heart of the Espartanos program and the main gateway to personal transformation inside prisons.

In 2025, 534 players participated in the program, a 19% increase from the previous year, reflecting the growing interest among incarcerated individuals to join this space where sport becomes a path for change.

Throughout the year, we held 214 training sessions, totaling 428 hours of practice, along with 7 intra-prison matches, 5 matches outside prison facilities, and 2 intra-prison tournaments. Each training session becomes an opportunity to learn and practice the core values of rugby: respect, discipline, teamwork, and perseverance.

As the program continued to grow, additional trainings were added and players began training in different categories —new players, intermediate players, and advanced players— allowing coaches to better support each Espartano in their journey.

For many participants, rugby becomes much more than a sport. It is the first step toward rebuilding trust, forming community, and beginning to imagine a different life.

The All Blacks’ coach Scott “Razor” Robertson and forward Viliami Pasilio Tosi visited Unidad 48 in San Martín to meet with Los Espartanos — the rugby team made up of men in prison who are rewriting their stories through sport.

Seven years after their first visit, the legendary New Zealand rugby team returned to the same prison field, where over 500 inmates train across four teams. The encounter once again highlighted the power of rugby as a tool for inclusion and personal transformation.

Robertson shared words of encouragement, saying: “It’s wonderful to see you play. Being part of a team will give you memories for life.” The event ended with Viliami Tosi performing the traditional haka, the Maori chant that symbolizes strength and unity. In this setting, it became a moving message of courage, respect, and hope for every player seeking a life away from crime.

The visit deeply inspired the players, many of whom emphasized how rugby has helped them regain confidence, discipline, and a sense of belonging—essential steps toward social reintegration.