How your fundraising helped foster an interest in rugby

“The coaches and the camps were fantastic from start to finish. Our child couldn’t stop talking about all the new friends he had made and how much he was looking forward to going back again the next day.”

Making friends, playing rugby, looking forward to holiday camps. Things we probably all took for granted 18 months ago.

The pandemic meant so many of these simple things were impossible to experience for too long.

That is why Wooden Spoon West Midlands has been delighted to help fund a series of multi-sport holiday camps offering children aged five to 13 years old the opportunity to do what they do best – have fun!

There is also a positive spin-off to the camps, according to Mitch McGahan, Rugby Development Manager, at Bournville RFC.

Mitch said: “The camps have been perfect for those looking to try rugby who may otherwise not get access to it or perhaps have not heard of the rugby club.

“And what we have found is that they have directly led to more people signing up to our minis and junior sections – meaning these youngsters are continuing their rugby education.”

Mitch said the holiday camps were perfect for keeping youngsters active during the holidays with rugby skills developed and fun challenges for all.

“This has been even more important considering the last 18 months,” he added. “A lot of youngsters have come to our camps for the first time and they have got so much out of them.”

One parent wrote: “We were grateful for the opportunity to send our children on the summer camp. They really enjoyed themselves and got to experience something different and interact with not only sport but also children from different schools. Something they don’t always get.”

Please make a donation this Christmas to help us fund more projects like this to support children and young people facing disadvantage.