Harlequins Foundation launch Christmas fundraising campaign to boost girls rugby

90% of girls don't do enough physical activity by the age of 14. To address this, this Christmas the Harlequins Foundation are fundraising to support the delivery of our flagship girls rugby programme SWITCH, a multi-tiered programme that will increase the number of girls playing rugby while developing the essential skills they need to succeed on and off the pitch.

As part of the national Big Give campaign, every donation made between 3 – 10 December will be match funded so that the money raised will be doubled – doubling the impact that the funds will have.

64% of girls want to be more active but barriers, like low confidence, having their period & being watched by others, prevent them participating. Similarly, Women in Sports Dream Deficit Report (2023) shows that 82% of girls believe that women’s sport isn’t taken as seriously as men’s & lack of funding and opportunity prevents them envisaging a career in sport. The Foundation’s programme directly addresses these barriers, enabling girls to be active and inspiring long-term behaviour change.

SWITCH is designed to remove barriers for girls to get active and take part in rugby. Our girl-only sessions delivered by female coaches provide girls the opportunity to try a new sport in a safe and enjoyable environment. Over six weeks, the programme inspires a love of sport through encouraging girls to take part in rugby. Girls are then supported to continue their rugby participation, providing clear pathways to grassroots clubs sustaining activity levels beyond our initial intervention.

As well as rugby sessions delivered in school, the programme delivers workshops aimed at improving confidence, overcoming barriers to participation, and accessing career opportunities in sport.

Head of Fundraising and Engagement for the Harlequins Foundation, Nik Hart, said: “We know that girls are disproportionately affected when it comes to barriers to participating in sport. Our SWITCH programme is proven to help overcome these, enabling more girls in our local communities to benefit from physical activity as well as the essential skills that are learned on the rugby field that can be transferred to life off the pitch. Your support is essential to allowing us to grow our impact.”

The Foundation are aiming to raise a minimum of £15k through the eight-day campaign, funds that will be matched by Big Give, via champions The Childhood Trust, to a total income of £30k. This money will support the delivery of our girls rugby programme, while additionally raising awareness of the benefits rugby participation can have for young people.

Donations must be made to the Big Give fundraising page, and the campaign is open between 3-10 December. To find out more information about the campaign and how you can support, making a difference to the lives of young people in our communities, visit //www.quins.co.uk/article/foundation-christmas-fundraising-campaign