Newcastle Rugby Foundation targets expansion of reach
With demand for its input outstripping capacity, the Newcastle Rugby Foundation is looking to expand the delivery and influence of its programmes across the North East and Cumbria.
An integral part of the club, the Newcastle Rugby Foundation operates as a Charity under two brands; Falcons Community Foundation and the Newcastle Thunder Community Programme and aims to motivate, educate and inspire via the power of sport.
Working across five pillars of activity – Club Development, Grassroots Sport, Social Inclusion, Health and Education, the Foundation currently engages with over 15,000 people per year and is looking to expand its projects in conjunction with the support of North East businesses, to ensure more and more people benefit from its activities.
Delivering a range of programmes engaging with a diverse cross-section of the community, the Foundation’s programmes are promoting a positive attitude towards health and wellbeing, inclusivity and self-resilience via a variety of engagement activities encompassing the core values of rugby.
Reliant entirely on a wide variety of funding streams including grants, fundraising and the fantastic support of the business community the Foundation are well placed to help organisations maximise their CSR efforts.
Staffed by personnel with vast experience in the development and delivery of community programmes, the Foundation currently run over twenty different programmes that include:
**Hitz**; a programme which works to engage people who are classified as NEET (Not In Education Employment or Training) to gain the qualifications and employability skills they have been unable to obtain in a traditional educational setting.
**Falcons Forces Veterans programme**; an initiative that works alongside other local war veterans charities in supporting ex-service personnel reintegrate into civilian life and provide opportunities to learn new skills.
**Greggs Tackling Health**; a food education programme that promotes the benefits of a healthy lifestyle to young people and enhances their understanding of the link between physical activity and nutrition, providing them with the knowledge to make the best choices surrounding diet and exercise.
**Little Falcons**; a fun introduction to rugby for children aged from two to four years of age that develops fundamentail skills including agility, balance and co-ordination with enjoyable activity in a safe and welcoming environment.
With many exciting opportunities to partner with the delivery of these programmes available, the Foundation are eager to develop relationships with companies they can deliver projects in their local communities and whose priorities align with their own.
Head of Foundation, Melanie Magee “These are such exciting times for the Falcons, Thunder and rugby of both codes in the City – The Big One, The European Finals, the England v Italy Quilter International and hopefully, the Rugby League World Cup in 2021.
Hosting such prestigious events presents us with a unique and exciting opportunity to inspire people of all ages and backgrounds. We would love to engage businesses in our plans to discuss not only how we can work together to maximise the positive change in Newcastle, but the North East and Cumbria as a region.”
For more information, please contact melanie.magee@newcastle-falcons.co.uk
