By Paul Smith 
With the help of council officials, sponsors and representatives of the local community Coventry Rugby Foundation has launched an appeal that celebrates the rugby club’s 150th anniversary.
Club Chair Jon Sharp and John Edwards who chairs the club’s charitable foundation hosted a business breakfast which explained the objectives of the appeal and how funds raised will be used to benefit the community.
Mr Sharp – a born-and-bred Coventrian – told the assembled audience that the foundation’s key objective is to use sport to change lives for the good.
“Having been at the heart of Coventry for 150 years, we have a deep commitment to supporting this important work through our community department,” he said.
“We aim to bring a variety of sports and opportunities to those who may well otherwise not have them.
“We want to develop and grow our community work and hope that the 150th anniversary and Foundation Appeal will play a key role in helping us fundraise to achieve this.
“I am always struck by the enthusiasm with which youngsters coming on our Project 500 scheme attack both the sessions they are involved in and the hot food served at lunch times and am mindful that this may be a hot meal they would otherwise not get.
“We are grateful to our many partners including the City Council and Charter Savings Bank and our own Supporters’ Club who also continually support us.”
Mr Edwards showed the audience a short film which will be generally released shortly. This highlighted some of the excellent work already done by the Foundation in close partnership with Coventry Rugby.
“As a new arrival to the role of Foundation Chair, I am amazed by some of the delivery statistics,” he said.
“With over 15000 children experiencing rugby and multi-sports camps since 2019 and more than 6000 children coming on our Project 500 days, it’s very clear that the Foundation is making a real and lasting difference in the community.
“The gift of over 2500 family food parcels has also provided critical support to families facing hard times and difficult choices.”
He went on to highlight the Foundation’s recently-launched Coventry Netball programme, which has already embedded in nine schools and is growing rapidly.
“This brilliant initiative offers an opportunity for young girls and boys to get involved in one of the UK’s fastest growing sports with all the physical and mental wellbeing upsides that brings,” he said.
“We want to significantly expand this and other vital work. We therefore hope that by spreading the word about these initiatives while celebrating 150 years of Coventry Rugby with an Appeal, we can raise more much-needed funds.
“Our mission is to continue to offer opportunity to all, regardless of age, gender sex or ethnicity and change lives for the better because that is what we do.”
To find out more about the Coventry Rugby Foundation visit https://www.coventryrugby.co.uk/community/coventry-rugby-foundation/
