Harlequins Foundation
Harlequins Foundation
The Harlequins Foundation was set up in 2015 as an independent charity (1161838) with a goal of ‘Building Brighter Futures’. It is associated with the Premiership rugby club Harlequin FC. Their aim is to combine the power of sport with the unique spirit, expertise and experience of Harlequins to create opportunities for people within the local communities and beyond.
The Harlequins Foundation has developed two flagship programmes: Switch[1] – a women and girls project which aims to develop tomorrow’s female leaders as well as get more girls involved in rugby[2], and METTLE – a project that develops skills and knowledge to improve physical health and mental well-being for 9-12 year olds.
They also deliver Premiership Rugby funded programmes such as Move like a Pro, Project Rugby and Hitz.
| Legal status | Registered Charity |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Twickenham Stoop |
| Location |
|
| Affiliations | Harlequin FC |
| Website | http://www.harlequins.foundation/ |
METTLE
In June 2016, the Harlequins Foundation launched METTLE – a multi-stranded campaign under an overarching commitment to increase awareness around mental health and support preventative provision for all young people in our local boroughs and beyond.
METTLE uses the resources, brand and experience of The Harlequins Foundation to raise awareness, challenge the stigma of mental health whilst developing mental resilience in the young people involved.
In September 2016, an eight-week mental resilience schools programme was piloted, developed by the Harlequins Foundation, with 165 Year Six pupils across four local primary schools. The pilot was evaluated by St Mary’s University. The programme was found to have had a positive impact on young people’s self-confidence, wellbeing, decision making and mental resilience.
The METTLE mental resilience schools programme is an interactive, evidence-based programme, underpinned by positive psychology and solution-focused thinking. The programme draws on the attraction of Harlequins to equip, educate and inspire young children in developing skills associated with mental resilience. It aims to deliver a unique and engaging narrative, using the message and learning from the pitch to bring about positive change in children’s lives.
MOVEMBER PARTNERSHIP
In September 2018, The Harlequins Foundation and The Movember Foundation announced a long-term partnership that will see them team up for a joint initiative committed to helping rugby fans, and the wider community, live happier, healthier and longer lives.[3]
The partnership looks to address the issues around men’s health and provide information and guidance on what to do when health suffers. The funds raised are invested into projects aimed at parents, coaches and young men, all delivered through the Harlequins Foundation.[4]
Owen Sharp, CEO of the Movember Foundation, said: “We are delighted to be announcing this partnership after working closely with Harlequins in an unofficial capacity for many years. In working together, we aim to positively impact the lives of the many men and women that support Harlequins and the wider community.”[5]
TEAM RICHMOND - LONDON YOUTH GAMES
The London Youth Games was inaugurated in 1977 as part of The Queen’s Silver Jubilee Celebrations. Now entering its 40th year, the Games provide competitive sporting opportunities for young Londoners. The Games are attended by more than 100,000 children from across London competing in more than 30 different sports.[6]
For the last 12 years Harlequins, and now the Harlequins Foundation, has sponsored ‘Team Richmond’, enabling 450 local children to compete. The partnership represents a significant and positive investment into the local community, encouraging children to participate in sport, as well as reinforcing our commitment to physical and mental health.
INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS
FUTURE HOPE HARLEQUINS
Future Hope is a charitable organisation which provides opportunity through its homes, school, sports and medical programme for some of the most vulnerable children from the streets and slums of Kolkata, India. The charity uses rugby in particular to instil discipline and a sense of purpose in many of the children; some of these children have even gone on to represent India at rugby.
Harlequins have had a long association with the charity[7] whose rugby team have become affiliated to the Premiership rugby club and are now known as the Future Hope Harlequins. Over the last 20 years, Harlequins senior players have visited numerous times to deliver coaching and equipment.[8]
LESOTHO RUGBY ACADEMY
On the back of Harlequins Foundation CEO Marc Leckie’s visit to Lesotho in January 2019, the Harlequins Foundation began a 3-year partnership, providing core support to the Lesotho Rugby Academy as well as specifically funding two new coaching positions[9]. Lesotho Rugby Academy are also supported by Dolen Cymru and the Atlas Foundation.
References
- ↑ "Quins' Abbie Scott speaks about next season after coaching at girls only rugby camp". Richmond and Twickenham Times.
- ↑ "Harlequins Foundation promoting equality with Switch programme". Premiership Rugby.
- ↑ "Harlequins and Movember team up to stop men dying too young". Richmond and Twickenham Times.
- ↑ "About Movember".
- ↑ "Quins-Movember mental health drive". www.sportindustry.biz.
- ↑ "About the London Youth Games". www.londonyouthgames.org.
- ↑ "Harlequins embark on journey with Future Hope". ESPN.
- ↑ "Champions on and off the field - young rugby turks at Future Hope". www.quins.london.
- ↑ "Lesotho Rugby Academy team grows". www.lesothorugbyacademy.org.
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