TackleLondon uses rugby, consistent coaching and trusted adult relationships to help young people across London feel safe, valued and understood: in school, after school, and in their community. We teach resilience, teamwork and confidence by creating a supportive environment where young individuals can overcome personal challenges, build essential life skills, and unlock their potential. Our mission is to empower London’s youth, providing them with the tools and opportunities they need to thrive, both on and off the field.
Every week, the same coaches turn up for the same young people. That consistency is key.
TackleLondon is delivered by two organisations working as one: The Atlas Foundation and the Matt Ratana Rugby Foundation. Together we run structured rugby sessions in schools, after-school clubs and community settings across London: not to produce rugby players, but to give young people something a lot of them are missing: a routine, an adult who notices when something’s wrong, and a place to belong.
Our coaches are trained to spot signs of struggle, build trust, and point young people toward the right support. The rugby is real. So is the relationship underneath it.
London is one of the world’s greatest cities: vibrant, diverse and full of opportunity. Its communities, cultures and young people are what make it such an extraordinary place to grow up. But like any major city, opportunity isn’t experienced equally.
In some of London’s most deprived boroughs, young people have fewer chances to access what helps them thrive: safe spaces, trusted adults who are consistently present, and welcoming community environments where they feel they belong. As funding for local youth provision has declined, those spaces have become harder to find.
TackleLondon exists to help bridge that gap through consistent coaching relationships, rugby and a clear pathway into community sport, building confidence, friendship and belonging, one session and one relationship at a time.
TackleLondon provides a connected journey. A young person can enter our free in school sessions with zero experience of rugby and, over time, progress all the way into a local club.
- In-School Rugby: Free, weekly, whole-class sessions delivered by Matt Ratana Rugby Foundation coaches. No experience needed, no cost barrier.
- After-School Sessions: Free games, training and inter-school tournaments open to anyone who’s taken part in school.
- MRRF Academy: A free higher-performance step for those who want to go further. Open to all; there’s no trial, no cut.
- Community Rugby Clubs: A lasting home in local club rugby, often years after a young person’s first ever session.
More time in a positive, structured environment means less time unsupervised and at risk. That’s the pathway working. Our 2025 impact asessment revealed:
- 1,378 young people showed tangible improvements in mental health and wellbeing
- 1,290 improved their engagement in school
- 1,327 demonstrated improved relationships
- All partner schools reported a clear impact on general student wellbeing
It isn’t the rugby. It’s what the coaching is built to do.
Every TackleLondon coach completes CPD-accredited training across the following areas of focus:
- Life skills and personal development
- Rugby coaching skills
- Safeguarding
- Community and social issues awareness
- Accredited youth mental health first aid training
- First aid training
These training programmes are overseen by our MRRF Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), Dr Amy Atkinson. Our coaches are specifically trained to notice when a young person is having a hard day, and to know exactly who to bring in if more support is needed than a coach can give.
“They don’t just ask me, like, how was that session? They have a conversation about how was school, how was home. It shows not only that my teammates care, but that the coaches care a lot. They actually want to know what your goals are in life - who you want to be and who you are as a person.” - Jonathan, 15
Jonathan’s Story
At 15, Jonathan joined Streatham-Croydon RFC through TackleLondon’s community pathway. Like a lot of young people carrying more than they can easily put into words, his frustration often came out as anger. Watch his story.
“When I come to rugby, I know that Jonathan’s gonna be safe. Jonathan knows if he’s had a particularly difficult day, the coaches will pick up on that, and they will speak to him. As a parent, it’s like a lifeline. That support is just everything.”
– Elaine, Jonathan’s mother
Rugby gave Jonathan routine, trusted adults, and somewhere to release emotion safely. Over time, that turned into confidence, better self-regulation, and a genuine sense of belonging.
Rugby has a way of finding the people who need it most – but only if someone points them in the right direction. If you know a young person in London who could use a safe space, a supportive team around them, or just something to show up for each week, we’d love to hear from you.
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