Community Story: The Leicester Tigers Foundation

For our first feature profiling a recent recipient of a grant from the Community Matters Fund (Future Skills) 2026 from National Grid we are in the Midlands to meet with the Leicester Tigers Foundation to find out about a great project that goes far beyond the rugby pitch to connect with their community. Luke Upton chatted with Joe Glover Education Manager at the Foundation about their wide area of focus, the importance of employability support, building partnership networks and more.

Luke Upton (LU): Thanks for speaking to me today Joe, as an introduction, could you tell us a little about the origins of the Leicester Tigers Foundation and how the organisation has developed its services and support for the community over the years?

Joe Glover (JG): No problems. The Leicester Tigers Foundation was established as the official charitable arm of professional rugby union team Leicester Tigers and became a registered charity in 2015. From the outset, our mission has been to use the power and values of rugby to create positive change across Leicester, Leicestershire and the wider region. The Foundation was built around four core pillars – Education, Health, Inclusion and Heritage – with a focus on raising educational attainment, improving physical and mental wellbeing, increasing participation in sport, and supporting people who are at risk of social exclusion. Over the years, the Foundation has evolved significantly. What began with community coaching and education initiatives (such as HITZ) has grown into a diverse portfolio of programmes supporting thousands of children, young people and adults each year.

Today, the Foundation’s work extends far beyond rugby, delivering alternative education programmes for young people, employability and skills training, health and wellbeing initiatives, inclusive sport for disabled participants, prison mentoring and rehabilitation, school engagement, and heritage projects that celebrate the club's history while connecting with local communities.

Throughout this growth, the Foundation has remained committed to using the Leicester Tigers brand as a vehicle to inspire and engage people who may otherwise face barriers to education, employment, health or social inclusion. By working in partnership with schools, local authorities, health organisations, employers and community groups, the Foundation has developed a reputation as an organisation that not only promotes participation but also delivers meaningful social impact and creates opportunities for people of all ages to achieve their potential.

LU: Brilliant and what have been some of your recent focuses?

JG: We’ve been busy! Some of the Foundation's key recent areas of focus include:

Alternative Education and Employability, expanding programmes such as HITZ Education to Coventry (Foleshill) and other post-16 pathways that support young people who may be disengaged from mainstream education. Also we have had starting running King’s Trust ‘Team’ courses from the NSPCC National Training Centre in Beaumont Leys and also in Coventry at Home Plus Group in Walsgrave. These programmes combine accredited qualifications with personal development, mentoring, work experience and employability skills to improve progression into education, employment or training.

Health and Wellbeing, delivering initiatives that encourage healthier lifestyles, improve physical activity and support positive mental wellbeing across children, young people and adults. These programmes use sport as a vehicle to build confidence, resilience and social connections. Our Foundation Manager, Liz Causon, has expanded the Foundations offering including sessions for ‘AAA Active’ which is an exercise program developed for patients with an abdominal aortic aneurysm or for those who have had surgery to correct this. These sessions are specially designed to help improve participants cardiovascular health, as well as overall physical health and mental wellbeing. A second recent offering is also ‘Love to Move’ (for those with Parkinson's & Dementia) which is a programme aimed at those living with Parkinson's and dementia, as well as their carers.

Inclusion and Community Engagement , developing opportunities for people who may face barriers to participation, including disability sport, programmes for underrepresented communities and activities designed to reduce social isolation. A recent example is the Foundation's growing work with veterans through partnerships such as SSAFA, strengthening support for the Armed Forces community and the continued fantastic ‘DS Rugby’ which are non-contact tag rugby so those with Down Syndrome can learn the basics of rugby, whilst making friends in a safe and fun environment. The sessions are open to all ages.

Youth Development, working with schools and community organisations to provide leadership opportunities, life skills, holiday activities and positive role models for young people across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. Recent examples include our work together with ‘Active Charnwood’ in Wreake Valley and Limehurst Academy.

And finally Partnership Working , the Foundation has increasingly collaborated with employers, charities and education providers to create meaningful opportunities beyond the classroom. Recent examples include workplace learning experiences with organisations such as Medequip, Levy and Beaumont Leys Leisure Centre, helping young people understand different career pathways and develop employability skills.

 LU: You have been busy! You’ve just received funding from the Community Matters Fund (Future Skills) 2026 from National Grid and Localgiving. Can you tell us some more about the project, what it will help fund and what it aims to deliver.

JG: The Community Matters Fund (Future Skills) grant from National Grid is a fantastic opportunity for the Leicester Tigers Foundation to expand the support we provide to young people who are furthest from the job market. The fund will be used to help develop practical skills, improve employability and create pathways into sustainable employment for our young people who need it most. Our project will focus on equipping young people with the skills, confidence and experiences they need to take the next step into education, training or employment.

The funding will help us deliver employability workshops, CV writing and interview preparation, employer engagement sessions, workplace visits and meaningful work experience opportunities. It will also enable participants to develop the personal and professional skills that employers consistently tell us are essential, such as communication, teamwork, leadership, problem solving and resilience. These priorities closely align with the aims of the Future Skills fund, so a huge thank you to National Grid and Localgiving for their support.

LU: How important is this kind of grant funding to your organisation?

JG: Grant funding like National Grid’s Community Matters Fund is absolutely vital to the Leicester Tigers Foundation. While we work hard to generate income through partnerships and commissioned programmes (which are very hard to come by currently), grants enable us to invest in projects that reach people who may otherwise miss out on support. They give us the flexibility to respond to local need, pilot new ideas and provide opportunities that aren't always covered by traditional funding streams. For many of the young people we work with, the barriers to employment aren't simply about qualifications. They often need additional mentoring, confidence building, work experience, and access to employers before they're ready to take the next step.

This type of funding allows us to provide that extra level of personalised support, helping participants build the skills and resilience needed for long-term success. It also enables us to strengthen partnerships with local employers and community organisations, creating more meaningful opportunities and ensuring our programmes remain relevant to the needs of both young people and the local labour market. Ultimately, grants such as the Community Matters Fund from National Grid and Localgiving allow us to maximise our impact. They help us reach more people, improve outcomes and continue using the power of sport to inspire positive change. Every pound invested supports individuals to develop the skills, confidence and opportunities they need to move into education, employment or training, creating benefits that extend well beyond the lifetime of the project itself.

LU: And , as we always like to ask our community members, more money aside, what would help you most? 

JG: Beyond funding, one of the biggest things that would help us is building more partnerships with local businesses and organisations. Our programmes are most successful when young people can connect with employers, experience real workplaces and see tangible career opportunities. Whether that's through work experience placements, mentoring, mock interviews or guest speakers, these experiences can have a lasting impact on a young person's confidence and aspirations. We're also always looking to grow our network of supporters and advocates. Organisations that can open doors, share expertise, donate equipment or volunteer their time are just as valuable as financial contributions.

Those partnerships help us provide richer, more meaningful experiences for the people we support. Finally, raising awareness of the Foundation's work is incredibly important. Many people know Leicester Tigers for what happens on the rugby pitch but are less aware of the life-changing work taking place in communities across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. Helping us tell those stories enables us to reach more participants, attract new partners and demonstrate the impact that sport can have far beyond the game itself.

Ultimately, if more organisations, employers and community partners can work alongside us, we can create even more opportunities for people to develop skills, improve their wellbeing and fulfil their potential.

LU: Brilliant, thanks very much Joe, we look forward to keeping out community up to date with your latest developments.

Learn more about the Leicester Tigers Foundation here. 

For the latest on the Community Matters Fund click here. 

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