As we enter the New Year, I would like to take this opportunity to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who has supported the Cardiff Rugby Community Foundation in 2024.

Your contributions, dedication, and enthusiasm makes everything we do possible. This past year has been truly inspiring, and together, we’ve achieved so much.

Here is just a snapshot of what we’ve delivered:

Primary School Engagement

• Reached 68 primary schools through our Health & Wellbeing programmes, with more planned for the New Year.
• Delivered impactful careers workshops at Cwmlai and Oakfield Primary Schools, alongside MP Jo Churchill.
• Ran Tag Festivals throughout the region as part of transition events, as well as a Cardiff Arms Park tag event which welcomed more than 250 pupils.

Secondary School Engagement

• Partnered with 30 secondary schools on a variety of programmes, from engagement with disaffected youth to leadership development initiatives.
• Collaborated with Morgan Sindall on Believe and Leadership programmes, featuring insights from professional players like James Botham and Tinus de Beer.
• Supported military families with inclusive wheelchair rugby sessions.
• Held the region’s first female-only coaching course for PE teachers. To increase rugby opportunities for girls we offered an introduction to contact, fully accredited coaching course to female staff within our High Schools.
• Partnered with the Renishaw Plant as part of our Raising Aspirations programme, giving students a unique introduction to engineering careers.

Community Engagement

• Welcomed 47 community clubs to Clubs Day at the Arms Park, to celebrate grassroots rugby with over 5,000 children and adults in attendance.
• Delivered 20 “Fit, Fed, Fun” camps, providing meals and activities to over 1,500 children this season.
• Linked players with 25+ community clubs, enriching local engagement through player appearances.
• Supported community mental health through the Bench-to-Bench challenge and introducing a Speakeasy bench at the Arms Park.
• Introduced the ‘A Hero Among Us’ award at Cardiff matches to celebrate rugby heroes in the local community, who go above and beyond to participate, facilitate, organise and promote the game and values we all love.
• Launched the Sports and Memory Café at the Arms Park in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Society.
• Contributed over 100 meals to local food banks and visited four hospitals in the region to give out Christmas gifts to children and show our appreciation for all the NHS staff, ensuring our Foundation makes a tangible difference beyond sport.

Disability and Inclusion

• Hosted Disability Six Nations events, engaging schools across the region and fostering inclusivity.
• Attended the Brecon Military Show, delivering wheelchair rugby and activities throughout the community.
• Supported over 600 individuals through Disability Sport Wales InSport programmes.
• Welcomed the Kyrgyzstan national team to the Arms Park to take part in rugby sessions with our Vale Officer, whilst teaching thero coaches and staff about the history of our Club.
• Strengthened partnerships with initiatives like the Welsh Refugee Council, Cardiff Lions, and supported inclusive events such as Wales Deaf Rugby Day.

Record Engagement Figures

• This year alone, we’ve engaged an incredible 56,927 people through our programmes. With your continued support, we’re on track to make this a record-breaking season for the Foundation.

Thank you to our partners, schools, clubs, and the wider community for empowering us to deliver on our vision. None of this would be possible without your support.

We look forward to an even brighter and more impactful 2025.

Work has already begun and we are running a 50/50 raffle during the game against Ospreys on New Year’s Day. You can purchase a ticket online HERE or at the match.

Best Wishes,
Nadine Griffiths
Cardiff Rugby Community Foundation Director