At TackleLondon, we believe rugby is more than just a sport; it’s a vehicle for connection, resilience and community healing. That’s why we are proud to welcome Warlingham RFC into the growing TackleLondon network, as we continue our mission to support young people facing adversity across every London borough.
This partnership is not about creating the next generation of rugby stars (though we welcome that too!) it’s about creating safe, inclusive spaces where young people can belong, be understood and build brighter futures. Warlingham RFC shares this vision, and we’re excited to walk alongside them on this journey.
Community First: A Shared Commitment to Young People
Warlingham RFC has joined TackleLondon with a deep commitment to providing not just rugby coaching, but meaningful community support to young people navigating difficult experiences. The club is already demonstrating what that looks like in practice:
Trauma and Adversity Training
38 coaches have completed Trauma and Adversity training through the STAR* scheme (one of our founding partners), helping them to understand how early life experiences impact behaviour, development, and wellbeing.
Coach Preparation
Coaches meet pre-season for safeguarding training, ensuring every child in their care is protected and supported.
RFU Safeguarding Standards
The club follows all RFU safeguarding protocols, reinforcing the belief that safety is everyone’s responsibility.
These aren’t just tick-box exercises—they’re the foundation of a rugby environment where children can feel seen, valued, and safe. This is exactly the kind of community infrastructure we aim to grow through our network.
Beyond the Pitch: Long-Term Support and Belonging
TackleLondon exists to connect the dots between school, club, and community. We work in schools to identify young people who could benefit from the structure and community of a rugby club, and we signpost them to safe, trauma-aware clubs like Warlingham RFC.
The real change happens beyond the school gates—when young people choose to keep coming back, when they find mentorship in their coaches, and when they feel that a rugby club is their club. That’s how we build not just players, but citizens, teammates, and leaders.
Warlingham RFC: A Club Rooted in Community
Founded in 1922, Warlingham RFC has nearly a century of community legacy behind it. The club’s history is full of stories that show what’s possible when people come together: members building clubhouses by hand, families supporting from the sidelines, and generations of players returning to give back.
From its early days of scraping together a team with borrowed shirts to producing England internationals, Warlingham has always been about more than rugby. It’s about connection, tradition, and giving people a place to belong.
That’s why this partnership feels so right. Warlingham RFC is not just a rugby club, it’s a community institution, and with TackleLondon’s support, it’s now even better equipped to reach young people who need that community the most.
