Families Fund bringing new members into the rugby family
Working with youngsters from lower socio-economic groups and their families, Sport England’s Families Fund project has a portfolio of 33 projects, the RFU being the only sport national governing body included.
Funding from the National Lottery aims to help rugby to support families and communities surrounding local clubs. Last year, after recruiting 13 local projects, Covid-19 brought the suspension of rugby, with some of the projects already beginning and others just setting up.
Over half of England’s rugby clubs are within lower socio-economic group areas, with 10% in the 20% most deprived areas. And with seven million children aged five to 15 in England, four out of five of them are not getting the recommended daily exercise, so it’s clear that rugby needs to reach out and engage families in rugby.
Target groups include teenage boys and girls, families who have a child with a disability, and people from a BAME background.
Many local projects are running in partnership with a third-party specialist organisation to give support and to offer a new and different stance. The aim is to engage 500 families by the end of August 2021 and learn as much as possible through the project.
Former World Cup winning England captain and legendary fly half Katy Daley-McLean is supporting the activity and says: “Having the support of your family is a huge motivation to play sport when you are young. From personal experience I know how essential that was to my rugby career and I’m so glad to see our sport bringing families together to have fun while enjoying physical activity. With any luck once they discover the welcoming and supportive environment in a local club they will stay and become part of it. I’m so glad to have had the opportunities rugby has given me and hope that many more families and young people can benefit too.”
Once lockdown lifted the fun began across the country. Broughton Park FC in Lancashire, one of England’s oldest rugby union clubs, were running a far from traditional event. They are working with the Diane Modhal Sports Foundation (Manchester) across many secondary schools, and their Young Leaders cleaned and sanitised equipment so that families could enjoy a wide range of activities. There was everything from rugby tennis to walking rugby, and badminton to giant snakes and ladders. With food laid on for free and a great atmosphere, many families new to the club said they would be back for more. Also in Manchester, Aldwinians RUFC has set up Rugby for Vets to give fun days to Services veterans and their wider families.
In Essex, Harlow rugby club is running mixed ability activity for six to 16s to enjoy touch and tag rugby at Latton Park, while Harwich & Dovercourt RUFC is hosting family drop in events at Wick Lane.
Longlevens rugby club in Gloucester has launched family fun sessions. Newton Abbott RFC has put on evening family fun activities involving everything from frizbee to rugby and rounders. Billingham RUFC has linked with BCT Aspire to support integration from the wider Durham community into their rugby club. Wheatley Hills in South Yorkshire is working to link mums and daughters to the club, while the Bedford Blues Foundation is linking family sessions across a wide demographic audience.
North Shields has linked with a local secondary school for Friday night action, in Devon Tavistock RFC is working in partnership with a local athletics track, and in Bristol Ashley Down Old Boys has set up Family Funday Sundays.
The long term aim is to eventually involve many families who might otherwise not have had the opportunity to enjoy sport and to welcome them into rugby clubs nationwide.
If you would like to know more about rugby’s part in spreading health and wellness through the Family Fund contact Hamish Pratt at hamishpratt@rfu.com
