A fan-led group created to support Harlequin Football Club has donated £3,500 to help introduce rugby to primary schools across Merton and give deprived children a chance to play at the Stoop.
Quinssa, Harlequins Supporters’ Association donated to the clubs charitable arm, The Harlequins Foundation, which supports local communities and encourages youth skill development through charity events, volunteering, fundraising, partnerships and meaningful initiatives like this.
Quinssa’s contribution will directly benefit young people in the community and reach a new audience of potential rugby enthusiasts, with fundraising efforts culminating in a festival at the Stoop in June.
Matt Shillabeer, head of programmes at The Harlequins Foundation, said: “Merton has some real pockets of deprivation and we seek to only work in schools with participants with over 20% of their student population in receipt of benefit related free school meals.
“The funding Quinssa has given us will not only allow us to deliver a terms worth of rugby to students who have never played before, but also enable us to organise transport to the Stoop and give them an opportunity to play on the pitch, an experience that plenty of adults would kill for.”
The Move. Learn. Grow. Programme is set to commence in January and aims to inspire boys and girls to play rugby, whilst instilling fundamental life skills that will be extremely beneficial on and off the pitch.
The Harlequins Foundation utilises the Skills Builder framework, comprising of eight essential skills: listening, speaking, problem solving, creativity, staying positive, aiming high, leadership and teamwork.
Shillabeer added: “We are going to deliver fun engaging tag rugby sessions, but there will be a real focus on developing those skills so that they can then translate them on the pitch, in the playground, into the classroom and their wider life.”
Established in 2003, Quinssa has over 2500 members and organises social events, away trips, rugby talks and fundraising efforts, and annual membership is £5.
Steve Scott, Liaison for the Quinssa Committee, said: “We are supporting children who potentially do not have access to rugby.
“It aligns with our ethos in terms of growing the game and encouraging kids from disadvantaged backgrounds.”
To ensure the longevity and success of this initiative, the coaching team is working closely with affiliates in the borough of Merton to support smooth transitions into thriving community clubs for these children.
With the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 imminent, there is a real focus on increasing the participation of women and girls in sport.
The Harlequins Foundation also run the SWITCH programme, designed to challenge stereotypical stigmas in sport and inspire the next generation female rugby players.
Shillabeer adds: “Our hope is that one of these year five or year sixes in 15 years time is pulling on a Quins jersey for the first time and running out at the stoop.
“But, if they are pulling on the Wimbledon jersey or any other club within the borough and coming to supports the Harlequins on the weekend, then that’s a win too.
“We are proud of this partnership and being able to give opportunities to children who may have never considered trying rugby before.”
The Quinssa members will volunteer on the day of the festival, creating an even more memorable day for all involved.
Both Quinssa and The Harlequins Foundation are committed to working together to bring the game to non traditional rugby backgrounds and open up the sport to all.
Featured image credit: Photo by Andrew Fosker/Shutterstock (14795587ay) provided by Harlequins Rugby Club Communications Team.
