In the first two years as a charity, Maddy’s Mark has been able to commit funds to bring rugby to over 2,000 girls, having donated just over £55,000. It is so beneficial to their physical and mental health. Women's rugby, with its inclusivity and team spirit, not only provides challenge and fitness, but also helps to build self-esteem, long lasting friendships, and a sense of belonging. With your help and inspired by Maddy and all that she stood for; we will be able to help many more girls into all that this sport can give.
And how are we supporting this cause?By fostering and building young women's confidence, self-image and self-belief through the values of the rugby community. And by focusing on the standards of teamwork, mutual support and fellowship to help young women harness their own boldness and resilience.
Maddy’s Mark and Bristol Bears Community Foundation have joined forces to launch the next phase of the Eagle Project. The 2-time parliamentary award winning programme aims to introduce the game of rugby union to girls in year 7 with the intention of supporting longer term engagement and transition to local clubs.
Maddy’s Mark said… “
Maddy loved Bristol, so she would be so delighted that her love of rugby could be passed to the next generation. We would like to thank Bristol Bears for their huge help in making our commitment to these young women possible"
The Eagle Project aims to assist clubs in the Bristol region by introducing rugby during curriculum PE sessions at school sites, followed by a festival at a local club to celebrate student engagement and support transition.
With the London Irish partnership, we helped to deliver a 12-week programme with the aim of engaging girls aged between 15 to 18 years into education and business using the vehicle of rugby.
Our partnership with Exeter Chiefs worked with 6 Secondary Schools (Girls Only Groups), working with 4 classes of 100 to 120 girls.
This means 600 to 720 girls received 6 weeks of high quality rugby coaching sessions. We are committing to this annually.
And most importantly, we are also in partnership with Give A Ruck mental health charity to offer mental health workshops
Finally, one large festival to promote/fundraise for Maddy’s Mark and celebrate the programme.
With funding from Maddy’s Mark, the Harlequins Foundation delivered sessions to girls aged 11-14 from across the Harlequins Heartlands. They engaged 525 participants in Switch using an introduction to Rugby, followed by Mental Resilience Workshop & Barriers to Inclusion Workshop, and finally touch rugby games, programme reflection and transition support.
Maddy's Mark is now also contributing to a Bursary Fund to support female participants within rugby.
Maddy’s Mark are delighted to be partnering with the Saracens Foundation, supporting their ‘Women & Girls Participation’ project. They now are able to launch their first ever project that specifically targets increasing girls’ participation.
Our donation was utilised to provide playing opportunities for girls in their local community, to establish as many successful transitions from school participation to registered club players.
Maddy's Mark is excited to be in partnership with Bath Rugby Foundation, where we aim to make a difference in the lives of girls (aged 8-10 years-old) by growing confidence and acceptance in themselves and provide an opportunity for girls to represent their school in rugby and join their local rugby club.
Bath Rugby Foundation delivered 5 weeks of rugby-based sessions for 3 x schools linked to a targeted grassroots rugby club in BANES and Somerset. The last week included a festival hosted at the identified local grassroots club.
With our alliance with Wasps FC, we want to increase female rugby participation by providing the opportunity for children from minority groups and different socio-economic backgrounds to experience rugby, by further reducing the barriers to participation by building on the link between schools and Wasps FC club.
"Its been so cool having Wasps FC come in thanks to Maddy's Mark and deliver Rugby to us. I never thought I'd play Rugby - but I love it. I even have my first contact game next week" Freya W, 12
"I've loved our PE lessons over the last 6 weeks. Rugby is so different to our regular sports and I get to tackle my friends- I've really looked forward to my Wednesdays at School. Thanks Maddys Mark and Wasps FC" Mia D, 12To donate please click here to go to our Just Giving page