Changing Lives Through Rugby in Luton

Aim

Providing access to rugby for children in some of the UK's most deprived communities. Free coaching in schools, free kit, free membership.

The Community Rugby Trust (Stockwood Park) was founded by a group of Stockwood Park RFC members and ex-players who saw a simple injustice: the children growing up closest to their club had almost no connection to the sport. It wasn't because they were not interested. Because nobody had ever invited them in.

In 2024, working entirely in spare time alongside full-time jobs, they started knocking on school doors. The response was immediate. Within a year, 310 children had experienced rugby for the first time. Within two years, that number had grown to 1,135 children across seven schools - six primary schools and, for the first time, a local secondary. 56% of those who joined the club came from Free School Meals households. The cost for delivering the training  (a minimum of 3 weeks for each class) was just £4.13.

South Luton is one of the most deprived areas in England. Nearly 40% of children here live in poverty. 42.5% of Year 6 pupils are overweight. For most families in this area, organised sport outside school is simply out of reach. Rugby, with its reputation as a sport for private schools and wealthy communities, has been particularly invisible here.

Our vision is straightforward: every child in Luton who wants to play rugby should be able to play rugby. No exceptions. We go into schools, run after-school clubs and holiday camps, and create a direct pathway into Stockwood Park RFC. The same coaches deliver school sessions and attend Sunday training, so every child sees a familiar face when they walk through the club gates for the first time. For every child whose family cannot afford the costs, we cover their kit, boots and membership.

"For some of our children, these are the only times they may get to engage in high quality sessions playing a sport they are unfamiliar with. The difference it makes to their confidence and engagement in school is visible." School staff, Denbigh Primary

"The club that is near to where they live - perhaps they had seen it and never thought they could join in. With this initiative, they have been given the confidence and opportunity to take part." School staff, Tennyson Road Primary

All seven of our existing schools have confirmed they want to continue and we have active interest from a further six new schools, with more enquiries coming in. From September 2026 we aim to reach over 5,000 children across up to 20 Luton schools and get a further 100 into regular club members and ensure no child is ever turned away because of cost.

Every pound raised goes directly into coaching hours, kit and club membership for children who need it most. We need to raise £15,000 from the public to unlock Sport England's match pledge of up to £15,000. Help us give south Luton's children the chance they deserve."

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 1st November 2026 at 8:35am