Eloise Brown

Support, Transform and Achieve through Rugby. The star* scheme provides young people who have had multiple adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) with supported access to everything that local junior clubs and their amazing volunteer communities have to offer. ACEs are divided into three categories: abuse, household challenges and neglect. Examples of ACEs include enduring or being exposed to abuse or neglect, familial violence, mental illness, parental separation, divorce or substance abuse. ACEs can disrupt a child’s development and can impact social, emotional and cognitive impairment, which can lead to poor health outcomes and can negatively impact life expectancy. The negative impact of ACEs can be mitigated by encouraging safe, stable and nurturing relationships and environments all of which can be found in local junior rugby communities. The STAR scheme has been designed to facilitate access and formalise the support provided. The scheme removes all financial barriers to access (provides transport, kit, subs, food), creates a support network within the club for star* families and importantly provides coaching for the volunteer coaches as well as a star* manager who creates measurable personal development plans with the children and families. Bristol Bears, Bath, Sales Sharks, Leicester Tigers and Northampton Saints Community Foundations are supporting star* and the RFU Growth Partnership team described it as the most exciting initiative they had come across. Following a successful pilot at Chew Valley RFC with 30 children including 10 girls from one of the most income deprived areas of Bristol the star* scheme is rapidly expanding with over 70 clubs involved. We are looking for national and/or local sponsors so if your company’s CSR budget aligns with the work we are doing or if you are an individual who wants to help make a difference please get in touch and we provide you more information on just why this very simple scheme makes such a big impact.