Partner Clubs woodenspoon.org.uk
THANK YOU FOR YOUR AMAZING SUPPORT!
Rugby has given me so much throughout my life: friendships, sense of belonging and the opportunity to be part of something bigger than myself. That’s why I’m so proud to support Wooden Spoon and the incredible work they do to give children and young people the chance to play, learn, thrive and be safe. As rugby clubs, you have a unique opportunity to make a difference in your local communities. Becoming a Wooden Spoon Partner Club is about more than raising funds, it’s about using the power of our game to create opportunities, bring people together and change young lives. I’d encourage every club to get involved. Together, we can support children who need us most, strengthen our rugby communities and leave a lasting legacy both on and off the pitch. Join us as a Wooden Spoon Partner Club and help make a difference. Pierre Schoeman, Wooden Spoon Ambassador Scottish International and British & Irish Lions rugby player
WHO WE ARE Wooden Spoon is a grant-making charity, funding life-changing projects across the UK and Ireland. We exist to help the 1.2 million children living with a disability, the 30% of children growing up in poverty, and the 3 million children experiencing mental health issues to live their best lives. Since 1983, with the support of the rugby community, from grassroots clubs to national unions, we have awarded over £34 million in grants, positively impacting more than 2 million children and young people who are disadvantaged, disenfranchised, or living with additional needs. By harnessing the power of the rugby family, we inspire participation, raise funds, and create inclusive opportunities for young people. Our work is shaped around four core themes: Giving children the chance to: Play, Learn, Thrive and Be Safe. Across all four themes, we fund sensory rooms and gardens, specialist medical and sports equipment, playgrounds, sports programmes, health and wellbeing initiatives and education projects. Working in partnership with local organisations and the rugby family, we create inclusive, safe environments, giving every child the chance to play, learn, thrive and be safe.
“By harnessing the power of the rugby family, we inspire participation raise funds, and create inclusive opportunities for young people.” 3
PARTNER CLUBS
THE CHALLENGES WE FACE PLAY Removing barriers to sport and inclusive play
3 IN 4
children with disabilities do not play sport at school1
We fund inclusive playgrounds, sports facilities and programmes that enable children to be active, confident and connected, including initiatives such as the Wooden Spoon International Tag Rugby Festival (Tag Fest), which gives children with mild to severe learning difficulties the opportunity to take part in rugby, often for the first time, and experience a sense of belonging and teamwork.
LEARN Building confidence, life skills and learning opportunities Pupils with no absences are 2.2x likely to achieve 5+ good GCSE grades. We support projects and programmes such as The School of Hard Knocks that equip children and young people with essential life skills and supportive learning environments through the sport of rugby.
1 IN 5
pupils in the UK are persistently absent from school2
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THRIVE Supporting mental health, wellbeing and basic needs Our grants tackle the challenges preventing children from thriving, including food poverty, caring responsibilities, bereavement and mental health recovery. Through initiatives such as Pass the Plate and programmes like The Wave Project, we help reduce hunger, isolation and anxiety while building confidence and resilience. Since 1983, we have funded over 100 sensory spaces across the UK and Ireland, investing £4.6 million and supporting more than 202,000 beneficiaries.
30%
of children in the UK live in poverty3
1 IN 5
children in the UK are neurodivergent4
1 IN 5
children experience a mental health issue5
BE SAFE Safeguarding, prevention and protection from harm Children face increasing risks from online bullying, exploitation, loneliness, knife crime, gangs, substance misuse, and suicidal tendencies. We fund projects that promote safeguarding, raise awareness, provide early intervention and support rehabilitation, ensuring children and young people feel protected and secure.
Roughly 15% to over 25% of students have experienced cyberbullying, with studies showing an upward trend over time6 1
Gibson, O (2024, September 1) The Guardian
2
explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/ pupil attendance at schools 2026
3
social-mobility.data.gov.uk childhood poverty 2025
4,5
1 in 13 children have a diagnosed food allergy, whilst 60% of UK schools do not provide staff training on allergy management7 This results in children living with food allergies being unsafe, unprotected and vulnerable in school leading to social exclusion and negative wellbeing.
NHS Survey Mental Health in Children and Young people in England (2024)
https://www.ons.gov.uk/ Bullying and online experiences among children in England and Wales: year ending March 2023 6
7
https://www.narf.org.uk/ NASUWT survey in collaboration with Natasha’s Foundation
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PARTNER CLUBS
RAISE FUNDS FOR YOUR CLUB AND WOODEN SPOON
WHY YOUR RUGBY CLUB SHOULD BECOME A WOODEN SPOON PARTNER CLUB
Becoming a Wooden Spoon Partner Club is about so much more than fundraising, it’s about being part of a community that’s changing young lives through the power of rugby. As a Partner Club, you’ll have the opportunity to raise additional funds for your own club while helping children and young people with disabilities or facing disadvantage in your local area. Your club will benefit from fundraising advice, marketing and PR support, opportunities to strengthen relationships with sponsors and volunteers, and access to exclusive Partner Club Wooden Spoon grants*. Most importantly, you’ll see the difference your support makes, creating a lasting impact in your community, with the Wooden Spoon team by your side every step of the way.
*These grants (max £1.5K) are to be allocated to the development of SEN rugby programmes for children and young people with disabilities or facing disadvantage (see page 10).
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“Becoming a Wooden Spoon Partner Club is about more than raising funds, it’s about using the power of our game to create opportunities, bring people together and change young lives.”
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PARTNER CLUBS
THE BENEFITS OF BECOMING A WOODEN SPOON PARTNER CLUB RUGBY CLUB BENEFITS Fundraising & Financial Benefits • Raise funds for the club through shared fundraising activities.
• Support from Wooden Spoon to run events
that drive fundraising – with up to 50% of the funds raised going back to your club.
• Access to fundraising initiatives as well as prizes & memorabilia.
• Association with a National Rugby Charity • Access to grants for SEN rugby.
Marketing, PR & Profile Raising • PR and marketing support with access to national & regional media & website.
• Partner Club plaque to display at club. • Wooden Spoon brand assets, digital resources and toolkits. • Introductions to trusted partners and suppliers e.g. Canterbury, Howden, Securitas.
Local Community Impact • Funds raised support projects in the club’s local area, increasing relevance and engagement. This shows direct impact to club members.
• Invitations to Wooden Spoon Project Openings.
Club Member Engagement and Culture • Strengthens club identity and purpose through charitable impact, enhancing members pride.
• Volunteer engagement, utilising Wooden Spoon’s network such as Vets players.
• Increased community links, businesses and education. • Access to Wooden Spoon events and challenges which can be done by club members individually or as a collective offering a sense of ‘Team Work’.
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“By harnessing the power of the rugby family, we inspire participation, raise funds, and create inclusive opportunities for young people.”
WOODEN SPOON BENEFITS Fundraising & Financial Benefits • Raise funds for Wooden Spoon through collaborative events.
• The possibility for clubs to choose
Wooden Spoon as beneficiaries for club and local linked events and fundraisers.
Marketing, PR & Profile Raising • Partner Club plaque to show at club gives brand
exposure, also opportunities for kit and pitch branding, 1st team wearing Wooden Spoon socks!
• Potential for Wooden Spoon to be
introduced to club sponsors/donors.
Local Community Impact • The more funds raised within the partnership means we can fund more projects regionally, expanding our reach to more children who need our support.
Club Member Engagement and Culture • Volunteer engagement, ability to grow
Wooden Spoons network of volunteers.
• Increased community links, businesses and education.
• Access to vets players to grow our pool of players at Wooden Spoon.
• The potential for club members to
sign up for membership and/or attend Wooden Spoon events.
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PARTNER CLUBS
PARTNER CLUB GRANTS
APPLY FOR GRANTS OF UP TO
£1,500
PER PARTNER CLUB.
Exclusive Partner Club Grant Fund available to support inclusive club projects. Funding can be used to: • Launch new activities for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
• Enhance or expand existing inclusive programmes. Applications must clearly demonstrate: • The need for the funding. • The positive impact on children with
disabilities or those facing disadvantage.
Please complete our expression of wish form below for an initial assessment for your funding request:
Applications are submitted through Wooden Spoon’s Expression of Wish (EOW) process. woodenspoon.org.uk/ project-expression-of-wish/ 10
“The Wooden Spoon International Tag Rugby Festival (Tag Fest) gives children with mild to severe learning difficulties the opportunity to take part in rugby, often for the first time, and experience a sense of belonging and teamwork.”
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PARTNER CLUBS
HOW OUR PARTNER CLUBS ARE WORKING WITH WOODEN SPOON HADDINGTON RFC, EDINBURGH Haddington RFC is a proud partner of Wooden Spoon and have been working together to fundraise for the club and the charity for several years. The club hosts an annual end of season function for their mini & midi sections with funds raised being donated to WS. Two of our leading Men’s Vets players (Murray Stewart, Colin Stewart) are coaches for the junior section and this really brings together the community values of rugby & collaboration. The club has hosted Wooden Spoon’s BURNS Night which is also a key event in the annual calendar.
CAMBERLEY RFC, SURREY Camberley RFC shows how being a Wooden Spoon partner club can benefit both the community and the club itself. Through fundraising lunches and raffles, players, members and supporters raised £2,000 for local charities, including Wooden Spoon. The fundraising also generated income for the club, demonstrating how Partner Clubs can raise money for good causes while strengthening their own club. It’s a great example of rugby clubs coming together to fundraise, connect and make a difference.
WIDNES RUFC, MERSEYSIDE A real showcase of community spirit was seen in our Merseyside region where members of our partner club, Widnes RUFC, gave up their time to volunteer at Chestnut Lodge Special School to enhance the environment of their new playground facility. Photo above shows a volunteer with Wooden Spoon ambassador Gill Burns MBE painting fences at the school.
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KENT SOCIETY OF RFU REFEREES, KENT The Society raise funds at their annual awards and associated events. This has also linked to the Kent Rugby Project that offers children the chance to volunteer in rugby and achieve qualifications in officiating and coaching.
SOUTHEND RFC, ESSEX As a Wooden Spoon Partner Club, Southend RFC has benefited from grants supporting its disability rugby team, SouthSEND, enabling players to attend Tag Fest. Tag Fest gives children with mild and severe learning difficulties the chance to go on tour, experience the excitement of being a rugby player and build confidence, friendships and lasting memories.
NEWRY RFC, ULSTER One of our newest Partner clubs to join the Wooden Spoon family, they recently hosted a Vets match between a travelling Wooden Spoon team and the clubs Vets squad. An excellent match and fundraiser which is hopefully the start of many more collaborative activities between the club and charity. Our National Rugby Manager, Matt Mitchell, was on hand to present the Partner Club plaque to formalise the start of an exciting relationship.
BANBURY RUFC, OXFORDSHIRE For the 2024/25 season Banbury RUFC celebrated their ‘Centenary Year’ holding various events throughout the 12 months. The club raised £4,500 and chose Wooden Spoon as the benefiting charity. On finishing his term as honorary president, Phil Montanaro commented, “As one of your Partner Clubs, I sincerely hope that our relationship will continue to flourish and I will be watching with keen interest from the ‘sidelines’. Thank you to Wooden Spoon for your support.” Photo above shows Wooden Spoon Oxfordshire Chair, Steve Murphy and Banbury RUFC President Phil Montanaro.
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PARTNER CLUBS
HOW TO BECOME A WOODEN SPOON PARTNER CLUB
SUBMIT
1 LET’S TALK
6 ONGOING SUPPORT
Meet with the Wooden Spoon National Office to discuss your club, your goals and how the partnership can work for you.
Benefit from regular support and stewardship from both the Wooden Spoon National Office and your local region.
2 AGREE THE PARTNERSHIP
7 ANNUAL PARTNERSHIP REVIEW
Review the partnership model, benefits and terms and conditions together.
Each year we’ll review our partnership together, celebrate successes and identify new opportunities to grow our impact.
3 COMPLETE YOUR APPLICATION Submit a simple online application. go.woodenspoon.org.uk/ws-partner-club-application
4 WELCOME ABOARD Once approved, you’ll officially become a Wooden Spoon Partner Club.
5 CELEBRATE YOUR PARTNERSHIP Receive your Partner Club plaque and work with us to announce the partnership through local media and marketing.
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England and Harlequins rugby star Alex Dombrandt knows first-hand how important rugby clubs can be in shaping a player’s journey. From building confidence and friendships to creating opportunities both on and off the pitch, clubs have the power to change lives. Now, Alex is encouraging clubs across the country to join the Wooden Spoon family and help create those same opportunities for children who need them most. “I support Wooden Spoon because rugby has given me so much, and with Wooden Spoon we can change the lives of young children through the power of rugby!”
Sign up today to become a Wooden Spoon Partner Club and join us in using the power of rugby to change children’s lives.
w: woodenspoon.org.uk e: charity@woodenspoon.org.uk t: 01252 773720
Wooden Spoon Society (A company limited by guarantee and having no share capital) Registered Number: 01847860 Charity Number: 326691 Scottish Charity Number: SC039247