“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”
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”
At TackleLondon, every young person arrives with a story, often one shaped long before they ever meet us. For Max Shields, that story begins with extraordinary resilience. Max has lived with a rare kidney condition for most of his life, spending long stretches of childhood where no child should have to: in hospitals, in waiting …
When Matthew Pook first picked up a rugby ball at Meridian High School, he couldn’t have imagined where the game would take him. Introduced to rugby through TackleLondon’s Schools Provision, Matthew’s journey has now led him to a Jack Petchey Achievement Award normination– and a new sporting home at Beccehamians RFC. Matthew’s dedication, attitude, and …
Read more “Finding Your Sporting Home: Matthew Pook nominated for Jack Petchy Award”
At TackleLondon, we believe that sport, especially rugby, has the power to open doors, build confidence, and create lasting change. Few stories illustrate this better than Hezekai’s. Hezekai’s rugby journey began just recently at Chestnut Park Primary School, where he attended his very first training session on Wednesday, March 12th. It didn’t take long for …
Read more “School Provision to Club Member: Hezekai’s Rugby Journey”
Rugby has always been more than just a sport—it’s a community, a place of belonging, and a source of confidence. For the women and girls at TackleLondon, the game has been a catalyst for growth, inspiration, and making history. One player recalls the excitement of stepping onto the pitch alongside other girls, experiencing the joy …
Read more “Breaking Barriers: The Rise of Women’s Rugby at TackleLondon”
Anastazie’s Story: Finding Passion and Purpose Through Rugby For Anastazie, school felt like a cycle of boredom. “Where I’m not finding stuff engaging in school and just a bit bored all the time,” she explains. Opportunities outside of the classroom were limited, especially in Croydon, where access to different activities could be challenging. But then, …
Kamran grew up in Croydon, a place where the streets can be unpredictable, and opportunities for young people are limited. Knife crime is a harsh reality, and too many young people find themselves with nowhere to go. By the age of fifteen, many have already faced serious trauma, and the lack of safe spaces leaves …