Harrogate rugby club tackling inequality
Harrogate rugby club has long been a beacon of community involvement in Yorkshire.
Founded in 1871, and playing in National League 2 North, traditionally they often reached the Yorkshire Cup finals and represented the county in the National 7s Cup.
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And while they run two men’s squads and Vets, have two women’s teams, girls’ teams at U12, U16 and U18 and a full complement of age grade teams, they have become increasingly aware that parents can struggle to fund youngsters’ sport in the current cost of living crisis.
Their Junior Section recently came back with a clean sweep on Yorkshire finals day, the U15s beating Sandal, the U14s beating Hullionians and the U16s securing victory against Roundhegians. But not all youngsters reach that level of play, and many don’t get to play rugby at all.
That’s why they recently launched The Harrogate Rugby Club Foundation to tackle barriers to playing, whether physical, financial, or social.
The Foundation was launched by Community Development Officer, Aled Jones, to form links with the local community and start delivering free rugby sessions to schools in Harrogate. And children from local schools who enjoyed these sessions were pitch side as ball boys and girls for the Harrogate Mens 1st XV match v Sheffield tigers.
They are also planning to introduce community fitness classes, walking rugby and mixed-ability rugby, so that people of all ages and abilities can get involved in physical activity and improve their health and wellbeing.
The Foundation wants to positively impact the lives of more 1000 people by 2024. By bringing people together through rugby and physical activity, they hope to build a stronger and more connected community.
They say: "From primary schools to retirement home, we are here to keep people physically and mentally fit throughout their life. Using rugby as a means to access areas of inequality, deprivation and hardship, we will ensure that everyone in the Harrogate community has the opportunity to benefit from the amazing game that is rugby union"
If you would like to help support the foundation's mission or learn more about what they aim to achieve, please contact Aled on aled.jones@harrogaterugby.com
