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Young People
Creating Opportunity
Providing Guidance
Inspiring Change
The Matt Ratana Rugby Foundation uses the powerful values of rugby to engage meaningfully with young people and adults alike. We support and mentor young people from under-resourced communities in navigating life’s challenges, nurturing resilience and supporting good mental health through emotional awareness.
On and off the pitch, we actively build the skills and embrace opportunities to put feelings and reactions into words and repair strategies. We do this for the safety, wellbeing and transformation of individuals and the wider community.
Our impact
Changing Futures
Changing Communities
We assess our performance and impact against many criteria, working with schools and with our coaches on the ground to collect meaningful data to inform our ongoing practice and training. This data informs our areas of focus, helping us to ensure that what we’re doing matters and makes a difference.
We broadly group our impact under three main areas: School & Educational Life, Home Life, and Community. We work to create connections between school rugby provision and community rugby provision, including the wider family as well as individuals in the rugby community.
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Special Educational Needs
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Schools
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Clubs
School & Education
Our reach in school and educational life includes young people who:
- have special educational needs and disabilities
- are at risk of or have already been excluded from school
- are involved with a social worker
Home
In their home life, the young people we work with include those who:
- have been affected by domestic violence or abuse
- are from low-income families or are living in poverty
- are refugees or asylum-seekers
- are young carers
Community
In relation to the general health and wellbeing of individuals as part of their communities, we work with:
- young people with mental health concerns
- young people who have been involved in or impacted by violence and/or gangs and exploitation
We know what we do works
Feedback from our partner schools shows that young people:
School and Education
- demonstrate an improvement in their learning or work outcomes
- improve their engagement in school
Home
- show an improvement in socio-emotional learning skills
- demonstrate improved relationships
Community
- show a tangible improvement in their mental health and wellbeing
- reduce their harmful or risky behaviour
All schools assessing our provision reported a clear positive impact on the general wellbeing and mental health of their students
The how
Our Mentoring Method
We aim to meet everyone where they are, as a whole person, with whatever they bring, in the spirit of belonging to the rugby family.
Consistency
We partner with schools, providing weekly sessions led by the same dedicated coach and mentor.
Accountability
We hold ourselves accountable for the support we provide, maintaining regular dialogue with schools, ensuring meaningful provision
Safeguarding
Highest level safeguarding and welfare through ongoing dialogue with key partners and performance reviews
Guidance
We provide long-term stability, guidance and support to help each young person navigate life's challenges
Person Centred
We aim to understand each person and their home and school context as fully as we are able, to best support them
Belonging
We support a consistent pathway to local clubs, establishing each person as a valued and valuable member of their community
What we stand for
Our pillars
We stand for the values of rugby, and the values of Matt. We stand for accountability to self and others, as well as understanding of the context in which people find themselves. We work to mitigate adverse contexts and to support, nurture and reward resilience in the face of these contexts
Pillar I of V
Wellbeing and Inclusivity
We meet everyone where they are, with whatever they bring. Everybody belongs.
Pillar II of V
Respect for People and Culture
We foster trust, friendship, fun, understanding and relationship repair
Pillar III of V
Benefits of Team Sport
We promote selfless commitment to improved communication, resilience and responsibility
Pillar IV of V
Discipline and Fairness
We appreciate honesty and recognise how boundaries help keep everyone safe
Pillar V of V
Sporting Values
We nurture fair play, integrity and humility as strengths
London Schools Coaching
Building confidence, leadership and life skills through rugby.
After-School Clubs
Supporting education and providing mentorship for a brighter future.
MRRF Academy
Strengthening communities and creating opportunities.
Rugby Club Pathway
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Latest from the foundation
Recent News
News 16 JUN 2026
Winchester's Matt Ratana Charity Golf Day Raises £18,000 at Copthorne Golf Club
On Friday 12th June, The Winchester brought golfers, friends and supporters together at Copthorne Golf Club for a day of fairways, fundraising and community spirit - raising a remarkable £18,000 in support of the Matt Ratana Foundation in the process.
Read the story
News 15 JUN 2026
Matt Ratana Rugby Foundation Awards Evening
This is what it looks like when young people know they belong. On 19th May, coaches stood up one by one and told 36 young people - in front of their families, their teachers, and their community - exactly why they deserved to be celebrated. Not just for their rugby. For who they are. Wellbeing. Respect. Resilience. Fairness. Integrity. These aren't words on a wall at the Matt Ratana Rugby Foundation. They're the standard our young people are held to - and rising to - every single week. Read about the evening, the awards, and the young people who made it unforgettable.
News 13 JUN 2026
New Website Launched!
We've got a new home - and we're just getting started. Same mission, fresh look, bigger ambitions. We've got a brand new home on the internet - and we're pretty excited about it. But more than a fresh coat of paint, this is a moment to reflect on just how far we've come. From a dream of reaching 525 young people, to over 4,500 lives touched across London, Sussex and Yorkshire - Matt's legacy is growing, and it shows no sign of stopping. Come on in, have a look around, and if what you see moves you - get involved.
Get involved
You can make a difference to the lives of young people, by supporting our work, either through a donation or by getting involved.