Our Programmes School and Community Projects Schools Partnership Project Rugby Project Rugby What is Project Rugby? Bath Rugby Foundation is delivering the Project Rugby programme, which is designed to introduce the sport of rugby to participants who may have previously felt excluded from the sport. Project Rugby is a joint initiative between Premiership Rugby and England Rugby and aims to increase participation in the game by people from traditionally underrepresented groups. Black Asian & Minority Ethnic People People from Lower Socio-Economic backgrounds (top 30% IMD) Disabled People 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 Ladies Trojans, Chippenham Cavaliers, Stothert & Pitt 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, we hosted a successful Mixed Ability Rugby Cup which saw teams travel to Melksham from across the UK to compete in a Mixed Ability Rugby tournament. 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. Project Rugby events: Women and girls Bath Rugby Foundation hosted an exhilarating Round Robin Festival at Trowbridge RFC, uniting girls from years 7, 8, and 9. Among the spirited participants were students from Clarendon Academy, Selwood Academy, Hayesfield Girls School, and Ralph Allen School. Throughout the event, teams engaged in spirited competition, showcasing their skills and teamwork with over 30 tries scored during the group stages. In the finals, Hayesfield triumphed over Ralph Allen, securing third place, while Clarendon and Selwood battled fiercely for the top spot. With a halftime deadlock of 2-2, the intense competition saw Clarendon emerge victorious after dominating the second half. The tournament was not only a display of remarkable rugby talent but also a testament to the girls' camaraderie and sportsmanship. Special thanks to Harrison and Alec, youth players from Trowbridge RFC, whose excellent refereeing ensured a fair and thrilling tournament for all involved. Charities we work with to enhance sport for young women and girls: Maddy's Mark Bath Rugby Foundation is thrilled to partner with Maddy’s Mark to empower girls aged 8-10 by building their confidence, fostering self-acceptance, and offering them the chance to represent their school in rugby and join their local club. Through this partnership, we deliver five weeks of rugby-based sessions for three schools in BANES and Somerset, each linked to a grassroots rugby club, creating pathways for these young players to engage with the sport and develop a lasting passion for rugby. Who benefits from our Project Rugby programmes? Hear from Ruby When Ruby 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, Ruby 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,” Ruby 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 Ruby. 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 Recreation Ground, 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,” Ruby 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, Ruby 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 Ruby 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, Ruby 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. Ruby’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. Get involved: Mixed Ability Rugby Our Mixed Ability teams are fully inclusive, welcoming everyone from previous rugby players, to total beginners. Bath Rugby Foundation are working with more clubs year on year to encourage participation in rugby for all. Fancy joining a team? See the details below for how you can attend a training session. Melksham Stags: Mondays: 6:45pm-8pm Oakfield Stadium Bath Mixed Ability: Tuesdays: 7:15pm-8:15pm Stothert & Pitt RFC Chippenham Cavaliers: Wednesdays: 8pm-9pm Chippenham RFC Yeovil Mixed Ability: Fridays: 7pm-8pm Yeovil RFC Project Rugby Meet Connor: one of our participants gaining confidence through Gallagher's Project Rugby programme. At Bath Rugby Foundation, we're committed to transforming lives through sport. Our partnership with Gallagher to deliver Project Rugby sessions has allowed us to reach individuals like Connor Tennyson, 29, who has thrived through the inclusive, confidence-building atmosphere of these programmes. Connor 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, Connor 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.” Delivered in collaboration with Gallagher, Project Rugby brings rugby to traditionally underrepresented groups and makes it easily accessible within local communities. Our coaches and volunteers work closely with each participant, ensuring everyone feels supported and able to engage in the sessions. For Connor, 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, Connor 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 positively influenced Connor'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, Connor. We're all here. We're all doing the same and will help each other.’” Connor’s carers have witnessed this transformation firsthand. Mandy Warren from Mill Race shared, “Since the programme, Connor 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, “Connor’s story shows how Project Rugby can have a transformative effect, helping young people build skills and discover new opportunities.” Jack Hill, Community Inclusion Officer at Bath Rugby Foundation, reflected on his experience with the programme: “Working with Connor through Project Rugby was one of my first experiences after joining Bath Rugby Foundation. Seeing his confidence grow has been phenomenal.” Connor’s journey is one of many that inspire us. Through Project Rugby, we’re proud to help individuals step out of their comfort zones and into their full potential. Learn more about Gallagher’s Project Rugby programme and the lives it’s impacting here: Project Rugby in Action: Connor’s Story | AJG United Kingdom To get involved, find out more about our Project Rugby programmes, or volunteer with us, please contact our Community Liaison Officer, [email protected] Manage Cookie Preferences