The Atlas Foundation, a global children's charity, has shared information about the Rugby Champions that support, advocate for and endorse its work, which also acts as a shortlist of some of the best-known names in international rugby past and present.
Founded by rugby great, Jason Leonard, OBE, the Foundation has made headlines with its standout achievements in just ten years, supporting over 219,000 children in some of the world’s most deprived regions, and communities – working to effect sustainable, lasting and empowering change.
The Partnership-Focused Work and Model of The Atlas Foundation
The charity's success is attributed to its strong focus on forming partnerships with charities, schools, community leaders, healthcare teams, and resource providers in each specific area. It moves away from a prescriptive model of charitable support and instead listens to challenges and needs to customise its help in a way that will prove most impactful.
Working alongside 47 local partners in locations as diverse as the UK, Argentina, Cambodia, Kenya, Israel, India and Eswatini, the charity’s trustees also work alongside their Rugby Champions, a glittering roster of players, coaches and spokespeople for the sport who share in the Foundation's mission to create a fairer, safer and more positive future for the most deprived children.
Champions are often actively involved in initiatives, from recommending communities in need of real-world support to leading clubs, camps, and sessions and reaching out to children and community leaders as mentors.
While their advocacy remains pivotal, raising the charity's profile and vocalising the regions in the world where persistent hardships related to poverty, neglect, abuse, and poor health and educational outcomes merit attention, the Rugby Champions form part of the wide-ranging partnership structure that makes The Atlas Foundation different.
Many talk about the Foundation's work through their social media feeds, attend fundraising events in person to ensure attendees, sponsors, and those embarking on huge challenges have a truly special experience, and ultimately devote their time and resources to making a lasting difference.
Rugby Champions Partnering With The Alas Foundation
Peter Scott, General Manager of The Atlas Foundation says, ‘Our partnerships really are the footing on which we are built, and we are incredibly thankful to every Rugby Champion for the energy, time, effort, and enthusiasm they contribute. They boost the profile of some of our life-changing work and ensure the children we set out to support receive that much-needed assistance to change their lives for good.
Led, of course, by our Chairman Jason Leonard, himself the most-capped player for England Rugby, and a well-known name in the sporting world, we now have a staggering 56 Champions on board, from a diverse range of backgrounds.
Some are famous present-day international players who regularly make the headlines, whereas others are hugely respected coaches, pioneers of ability-focused inclusion sports, and political campaigners who focus on accessibility and equality.’
One of the unique elements of the Rugby Champions collective is that it represents a true cross-section.
Players and professionals originate from around the world, many of whom have joined forces with The Atlas Foundation in recognition of hardship, lack of education, deprivation, and poverty in their home countries or places they have visited during their careers.
The Caps and Success Behind The Atlas Foundation’s Rugby Champions
With literally thousands of caps, record-breaking achievements, career highlights, Rugby World Cup wins, and premiership titles between them, the power and support of the Champions is undoubtedly a force for good.
Some Champions are household names, including several World Rugby Hall of Fame members, recognised for their contributions to the sport. They include Foundation founder Jason Leonard and Phillipe Sella, a former French centre whose record for the most international appearances was held until overtaken by Leonard.
Further Hall of Fame inductees include Agustin Pichot, a former Argentinian scrum half and Atlas Champion, while Humprey Kayange, a Kenyan rugby great, now supports the Foundation and acts as a role model for children in Kenya and Africa.
Other Champions are current players, including Carlin Isles, Kristine Sommer, and Alycia Washington from the USA; Babalwa Latsha, a Springbok player and Africa's first female professional; Maro Itoje, Claudia Macdonald, and Mako Vunipola, all current England players; and Carlo Checcinato, Italian national team manager.
Further information about these and all the Rugby Champions working with The Atlas Foundation is readily available through the charity’s website.
Read more about Atlas Foundation - The Atlas Foundation Reflects on a Decade of Life-Changing Work as a Global Children’s Charity
About The Atlas Foundation
Founded by rugby legend Jason Leonard OBE, The Atlas Foundation uses rugby as a tool to improve the lives of children in disadvantaged communities around the world. By partnering with local organisations, The Atlas Foundation provides educational, health, and social development opportunities to help children thrive.
Media Contact:
Caitlin Clark
Marketing and Communications Officer
The Atlas Foundation
+44 (0)207 043 2232
Source: Digital PR
Release ID: 1399927