Our Programmes School and Community Projects Schools Partnership Project Rugby Project Rugby What is Project Rugby? Project Rugby is a joint PREM Rugby and England Rugby initiative delivered by Bath Rugby Foundation to engage people from traditionally underrepresented groups in rugby, including those from: lower socio-economic backgrounds, disabled participants, ethnically diverse communities. It provides accessible, inclusive sessions in schools and community settings, introducing participants to the game and supporting progression into local clubs while building confidence, resilience and social connection through sport. Since setting up Walcot Warriors, the South West’s first Mixed Ability rugby team, the Foundation has seen a growing demand for more clubs so we have helped to set up a further five; Melksham Stags, Bath Mixed Ability, Chippenham Cavaliers, and Yeovil Mixed Ability. This has led to our teams being recognised as; the first Mixed Ability team in the South West, the first female Mixed Ability team in the UK, the first male and female Mixed Ability at one club in the UK and the first Mixed Ability team in Wiltshire. This year, alongside Melksham RFC, we hosted our second Foundation Cup, both junior and senior, which saw teams travel to Melksham from across the UK to compete in contact and touch rugby. This journey has been supported by specialised coaches who have been able to break down session information and support clubs to make their facilities more accessible to players from all backgrounds. Visit our Mixed Ability Rugby page to find out more about our teams. Read the impact... Hear from R... When R first stepped onto the turf at The Rec for Bath Rugby Foundation’s Project Rugby sessions, the idea of shouting for a ball felt impossible. A student at a local SEND school in Bath, R has Selective Mutism and had long struggled to use her voice in social settings. Being in large, noisy environments was daunting, and the thought of a fast-paced team sport like rugby only amplified those anxieties. Outside of school, her comfort zone was dance - structured, expressive, and familiar - a world away from rugby. “I never thought rugby was for me,” R admits. “I usually just like to dance. I thought rugby would be too loud and I wouldn’t know what to do.” Project Rugby exists for young people like R. The programme breaks down traditional barriers to sport, creating inclusive, supportive sessions where confidence is built at each individual’s pace. By hosting sessions at The Rec, Bath Rugby Foundation deliberately opens up the city’s most iconic sporting space - making it welcoming, safe, and accessible for everyone. In Ruby’s early sessions, Foundation coaches noticed her reluctance to speak or make eye contact, but they also spotted something else: exceptional coordination and movement. Instead of asking her to conform to rugby, they adapted the game around her strengths - encouraging her to use her balance, rhythm and footwork from dance to evade defenders in Tag Rugby. “That changed everything,” R says. “I realised my dancing feet were actually good for rugby. I started to feel brave.” With the guidance of the Foundation’s community coaches, R slowly began to take up more space on the pitch. Each successful run built belief. Each supportive interaction reinforced that she belonged. As her physical confidence grew, her vocal confidence followed. Within just three months, Ruby progressed from standing quietly on the sidelines to verbally calling for passes, chatting with teammates, and actively directing play. “When R joined us in September, she wouldn’t make eye contact, let alone speak,” says a Bath Rugby Foundation Coach. “Once she realised she could out-step people, her confidence unlocked. She didn’t just start playing - she started communicating. Seeing her go from silent observation to laughing and calling for the ball is exactly why we do this.” Since starting Project Rugby in September 2025, R has become a key member of her school group. She has bridged the gap between the arts and sport, discovering that she doesn’t have to choose between the two. “I love running with the ball now,” she says. “Before coming to The Rec, I was too shy. Now I feel strong - and I like being part of the team.” At Bath Rugby Foundation, we believe every young person deserves a fair start in life. R’s journey is a powerful reminder that, with the right support and environment, sport can unlock confidence, connection and potential - sometimes in the quietest voices of all. Hear from C... We're committed to changing young lives through sport. Our partnership with Gallagher to deliver Project Rugby sessions has allowed us to reach individuals like C, who has thrived through the inclusive, confidence-building atmosphere of these programmes. C joined our Project Rugby sessions at Mill Race Community Support Service in Calne without ever having picked up a rugby ball. Now, he regularly attends training with Melksham Stags, a local mixed-ability rugby team, and continues to request more sports sessions at his day service. Reflecting on his journey, C shared: “The sessions helped me step out of my comfort zone. Because of Covid, I was in my room for a while, and that made it difficult to socialise. Project Rugby made it easier to interact with people again. It gave me a lot of confidence when I wasn’t at Mill Race and helped me take that confidence to do other things.” Our coaches and volunteers work closely with each participant, ensuring everyone feels supported and able to engage in the sessions. For C, accessing sports was challenging due to his additional needs, and he was initially hesitant about joining the sessions. However, Project Rugby has become a source of pride and confidence for him. Encouraging others, C says, “Give it a go. It is a really good sport with really good activities. I liked taking part and going to different things. It's just been really great for my confidence.” Project Rugby has also positively influenced C's social life as well. With support from friends who also participate, he has been able to overcome anxiety and build stronger connections within the group. “If I'm feeling anxious or scared, I can talk to them, and they’ll say nice things to me like: ‘there's no need to be scared. We're all here. We're all doing the same and will help each other.’” C’s carers have witnessed this transformation firsthand. Mandy Warren from Mill Race shared, “Since the programme, C has become much more tolerant and accepting of others, interacting well in both games and social settings. Project Rugby has truly aided his confidence.” Through Gallagher’s partnership with Premiership Rugby, Project Rugby has already engaged over 100,000 people since 2017, and we are thrilled to see its impact in communities like Connor's. Andy Ferguson, Managing Director of Gallagher’s Bristol office, commented, “C’s story shows how Project Rugby can have a transformative effect, helping young people build skills and discover new opportunities.” Jack Hill, Community Manager at Bath Rugby Foundation, reflected on his experience with the programme: “Working with C through Project Rugby was one of my first experiences after joining Bath Rugby Foundation. Seeing his confidence grow has been phenomenal.” Learn more about Gallagher’s Project Rugby programme and the lives it’s impacting here: Project Rugby in Action: C’s Story | AJG United Kingdom Women and girls Maddy's Mark Bath Rugby Foundation is proud to work in partnership with Maddy’s Mark to create more opportunities for girls and young women to access rugby in a safe, supportive and inspiring environment. This partnership is built on a shared belief that rugby can be a powerful vehicle for personal growth. Through a focus on the positive values of the game - respect, teamwork, resilience and character development - we use rugby sessions to help young people build confidence, strengthen self-belief and develop skills that extend far beyond the pitch. Each session is designed not only to introduce the game, but to help participants apply these values to real-life situations, supporting their wider personal development. Working together, we create inclusive spaces where girls and young women who may face barriers to participation can become part of a supportive community. These environments encourage peer support, friendship and a sense of belonging, while also opening up clear pathways into further participation and development within rugby. As part of the programme, we deliver weeks of rugby-based sessions across schools in Bath and North East Somerset, Somerset, and Wiltshire. Each school is linked with a local grassroots rugby club, helping to ensure a clear and sustainable pathway from school-based engagement into community sport. This structure gives participants the opportunity to continue their rugby journey beyond the programme and build a lasting connection with the game. Through this partnership, Bath Rugby Foundation and Maddy’s Mark are working together to ensure more girls and young women can experience the physical, mental and social benefits of rugby, while feeling supported, included and empowered both on and off the field. Hear from A... A, is a Year 10 student part of our Interventional Group, supported by Maddy’s Mark. This group, consisting of 10 students, focuses on building teamwork, listening skills, and confidence through tailored activities and rugby-based interventions. A lives at home with her mum and dad. She finds staying focused in lessons challenging, particularly in English, where she struggles the most. A and her mum are currently exploring the possibility of a dyslexia diagnosis. Reflecting on her school experience, A said: "I get easily confused with English, and I feel like the teacher gets annoyed because I can’t keep up. I do lose focus and talk in lessons, which is when I get strikes, and sometimes I get in trouble. I’ve never had an after-school detention, but I usually get at least two break-time detentions a week." Despite these challenges, A has shown remarkable progress since joining our Maddy's Mark sessions. By using rugby as a tool to engage and inspire, we’ve helped A build resilience, improve focus, and develop her communication skills. Each session combines physical activity, such as passing drills, teamwork games, and touch rugby, with reflective discussions aimed at boosting self-belief and problem-solving skills. Rugby has proven to be a turning point for A. It has provided a structured, yet enjoyable, environment where she feels valued and supported. A remarked: "My most challenging problem is my attendance. I now come into school more because I know Bath Rugby Foundation is in on that day." Our joint values with Maddy's Mark has been embraced wholeheartedly by A. She has grown in confidence each week, building strong friendships within the group and stepping out of her comfort zone during activities. A’s mum has seen first-hand the positive impact these sessions have had on her daughter:"A truly enjoys her sessions with you, and I’ve noticed her becoming more like herself again. She’s such a caring, mature girl with a heart of gold, and I’m so grateful for the positive impact you’ve had on her. Thank you." Our Community Coach, reflected on A’s journey:"I am incredibly proud of the commitment A has shown by attending every session. She is growing in confidence each week and has become a positive influence on her peers. Rugby has helped her feel a sense of belonging and purpose, and I believe she will continue to thrive with the support of Bath Rugby Foundation and Maddy’s Mark." To get involved, find out more about Project Rugby, or volunteer with us, please contact our Community Manager, [email protected] Manage Cookie Preferences