A Kilimanjaro Climb in Honour of Sergeant Matt Ratana Fundraising for the Matt Ratana Rugby Foundation In June 2025, three men will stand at the foot of Kilimanjaro – Africa’s highest peak – and begin a climb in memory of a man who shaped all of their lives. For Eoin and Mark O’Donoghue, this will …
17 March 2026 – MRRF Rugby Academy There are evenings in grassroots sport that remind you exactly why it all matters. Tuesday 17 March was one of them. The MRRF Academy Girls Showcase brought together players from across the borough: Meridian, Oxted, Thomas More, Bullers Wood, Chislehurst School For Girls, and more, for a night …
MRRF U12 Academy plays its first ever competitive fixture On the evening of Tuesday 11 March, The Matt Ratana Rugby Foundation U12 Academy – just ten sessions old – stepped out for its first ever competitive fixture. They faced APB Rugby in what would be a landmark moment for every player, coach and supporter present. …
Read more “U12 MRRF Academy’s First Game – A Tribute to Matt Salter and Matt Ratana”
On this International Women’s Day, TackleLondon is celebrating the women who give everything – on the pitch, in the classroom, and in communities across London – and what the world gains when we invest in them. This year’s International Women’s Day carries a theme that speaks directly to everything TackleLondon stands for: Give To Gain. It’s …
A Joint Statement from The Atlas Foundation & The Matt Ratana Rugby Foundation February 2026 To our local clubs, schools and communities, We write to you today as the two founding partner organisations behind TackleLondon: The Atlas Foundation and The Matt Ratana Rugby Foundation. It is with sadness that we acknowledge the closure and liquidation of star*scheme. We are truly …
Read more “Statement Following the Closure and Liquidation of star*scheme”
“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. Just that support is just everything. It’s everything for me.” Elaine Jonathan’s Mum Watch …
Read more “Jonathan’s Story: Why Safe, Active Spaces Matter for Young Londoners”
TackleLondon is incredibly grateful to the UCL Men’s and Women’s Rugby teams for hosting a brilliant tag rugby tournament fundraiser in support of our work with young people across London. The event brought together players, supporters and organisers from across both clubs, creating a day that celebrated collaboration, shared values and the power of sport …
Read more “UCL Men’s and Women’s Rugby Unite to Fundraise for TackleLondon”
Schools Praise the Impact of TackleLondon Coaching At TackleLondon, long-term partnerships with schools sit at the heart of everything we do. Our coaches work week in, week out to create safe, inclusive and inspiring environments where young people can grow — not just as players, but as confident individuals. Recent feedback from partner schools highlights …
Read more “Schools Praise the Impact of TackleLondon Coaching”
TackleLondon is proud to announce the launch of the TackleLondon Academy – a new development pathway designed to support young people who have shown strong enthusiasm, aptitude, or potential through our schools programme. The Academy offers an additional midweek training session for selected students, creating a high-quality environment focused on skill development, confidence and connection. …
Read more “TackleLondon Launches Development Academy for Young Players”
This case study is anonymised — for the purpose of this article, we will call the young person ‘John’. When John first picked up a rugby ball in Year 8, there was nothing dramatic about the moment. No club trials. No weekend programme. Just a quiet PE lesson on an ordinary school day, led by …
Read more “How Long-Term Support Helped ‘John’ Build Confidence, Belonging and a Positive Pathway”