The clocks have gone back, but Atlas has gone forward!
|
|
House of Lords Reception
Over the summer, the Atlas team was back in Parliament. No, Jason was not leading the Brexit negotiations. This was for our English Rugby Club Reception which hosted a range of clubs from all over the country. The event was about informing clubs about how they can set up their own funds, under the Atlas umbrella, to help their projects. Off the back of this we set up funds which have already gone on to help projects around the world.
|
|
|
Listening to the Lions ROAR
Our annual Atlas Foundation Dinner was another great success! With over 600 guests this was our biggest event to date and was a brilliant evening had by all. With rugby royalty joining us at the Hilton Park Lane, we listened to personal accounts and stories from inside the past Lion's tours. The Atlas Dinner is always our biggest fundraiser and this year was no different with large sums being raised to support our ongoing projects.
Thank you to all of guests who made the evening such a roaring success. Be sure to keep your eyes and ears open to secure your seat at our dinner next year!
|
|
|
Super Maro
We are very pleased to welcome Maro Itoje to the ever expanding list of Atlas Champions. Maro will be Atlas's Global Ambassador for our All-schools project which will be rolled out around the world, providing rugby and its culture to thousands of new children who currently live in impoverished communities.
|
|
|
This project will also be headed up by our campaign chairman - Neil Blair. Neil is a great friend of the Atlas Foundation and has selflessly accepted to help manage the project during its global expansion. He has already got our Israel All-schools cluster off the ground and has been out to visit the project and see its progress in its first few months.
|
|
|
|
Here at Atlas our rugby family never stops growing!
|
|
All Blacks vs Barbarians
4th November 2017 - Twickenham
Tickets for this match have been available to buy through an Atlas link which has enabled us to receive 10% of the ticket value. We are going to be hosting a pre-match party in the car park so if you're attending the match be sure to look out for the Atlas flags and come to say hello, grab a bite and have a drink.
|
|
|
Expedition to Everest Base Camp
November 2017
A ‘money cannot buy’ experience as a VIP guest of the Gurkhas. Tour leader Major Bill Kelsall has a 38 year career in the Rifles including commanding the Gurkhas. Trek to Everest Base Camp over three weeks.
|
|
|
Las Vegas Sevens and Golf Classic
2nd - 4th March 2018
A bevy of beauties will welcome you to the ATLAS Vegas party, namely Jason Leonard, Shane Byrne, Don James Jr, Gavin Hastings and other legends from international rugby.
Friday 2nd March is the Golf Classic on the stunning Las Vegas Country Club course with all four in action. You can join us for a four-ball or slot in as a couple or individual.
For more info on joining the Golf email us here.
|
|
|
Atlas 4x4 Africa Trek
13th - 16th April 2018
Only waiting list available
A four-day 4×4 driving challenge across Zimbabwe and Botswana. This Atlas challenge will include Delivering kit, boots and balls to kids in Atlas projects alongside England, Ireland and Springbok Rugby legends: Jason Leonard, Shane Byrne, Bob Skinstad and a last minute sign up from Bakkies Botha.
|
|
See the spectacular sights of Victoria Falls, Elephant Sands and the big game of Africa’s rivers and wilderness. Its not a race but as Jason said "I'm not coming last".
Fundraising pledge £10,000 per person. To ask about joining them contact us here
|
|
|
|
Atlas Peloton at The Tour of Cambridgeshire
3rd June 2018
Join us in 2018 for this fantastic closed road event. Building on the success of the last two years ATLAS will provide a quality race jersey, a dedicated VIP enclosure with private registration, kit and bike storage, food and a bar. Jason and other former pro-rugby stars will lead out the ATLAS Peloton and welcome you back for a drink in the VIP enclosure.
|
|
|
For the very keen, there are individual and team time trials on Saturday 2nd June. Atlas riders will be represented in both. If you would like to ride for Atlas in this or the Gran Fondo in a race gate please let us know so that we can secure the right entry for you. Fastest 25% qualify for World Amateur championship.
Pay for entry £120 per person, or raise £300 for ATLAS for free entry. 🚴 Book your place here
|
|
Jason's Annual Golf Day
29th June 2018
A deliberately intimate event at a beautiful course with a liberal sprinklings of rugby players, refs, commentators and fans.
Hosted by Kingswood Golf and Country Club near Tadworth in Surrey, corporate sponsored Four Balls are £1,500, non-corporate Four Balls £750. For more information contact us here
|
|
|
|
How are we doing?
As always, it is important to keep you all updated with our financial performance.
We are now in our 2nd financial year and have received an income of £386k. With only 10% of this spent on admin costs we continue to assure that we are efficient and can dedicate more funds to projects we support. Since last year we have seen an increase of 84% on our income showing that Atlas has got real momentum going forward and continues to get over the gain line.
|
|
|
Memphis Inner City Rugby
The Memphis Inner City Rugby project has continued to go from strength to strength. For the players in Memphis, they understand that rugby is more than just a game. It is all about the respect, social inclusion and enjoyment that the sport can bring. Through their involvement in rugby, they avoid being drawn into living a dangerous lifestyle.
|
|
|
|
The kids involved in the scheme have seen all around benefits with 100% college acceptance this year. Many report gaining leadership skills, grit and determination. To see the success yourself, watch the Memphis Inner City Rugby movie at https://wdrv.it/4c552c232.
|
|
|
Delhi Hurricanes win the All India Tournament
Both the Delhi Hurricane men's and women's teams succeeded in becoming the All India Rugby Champions. With some of the players having started in Atlas supported schools and clubs it is great to see the progress that has been achieved. Heres to next season and hopefully another set of wins.
|
|
|
|
Virreyes Rugby Club
Jason and Lord Addington flew out to visit the first of our South American projects. The project at Virreyes rugby club is located within the slums of Buenos Aires. The club, led by an enthusiastic team, support the kids with food, education and encouragement which they would not otherwise have.
|
|
|
|
Upminster Kit to Kenya and Kolkata
Another set of kit has been sent and delivered to projects overseas in Kenya and Kolkata. With thanks to a range of Atlas friends who have helped us get this kit to its desired destination, we can clearly see that this gear is of real value to kids using it.
|
|
|
|
Atlas All-schools Begins
Lastly, we are beginning to see the role out of the Atlas All-schools campaign. As stated earlier, the project is being lead by Neil Blair and our Global Ambassador Maro Itoje. The programme focuses on getting clubs and schools to combine together and create sets of rugby communities. With the success that this project achieved in the UK it is a great opportunity to take it international and have already helped set up our first few clusters. Look out for the updates on where we are going next!
|
|
|
|
Oundle RFC are supporting CSS Gura Homorului
Graham Snelling and Peter Croot travelled to Gura Homorului in the Suceava region of Romania. The outcome from this visit was an exciting opportunity for Oundle RFC to help Romanian players in the poorest region of the country, play and develop through rugby union. In association with Te Aud Romania, the club hope to provide increased opportunities for disadvantaged children to succeed socially, spiritually and financially.
|
|
|
|
New Brighton FC(RU)
New Brighton, one of the oldest rugby clubs in the world, founded 1875, looks forward to a bright future. But only if the fantastic efforts are kept up at fund raising to keep the club maintained and growing. Fielding three senior teams plus a Vets team, no less than eleven mini & junior teams as well asfull floodlights and a digital score board it takes a lot of volunteer help.
|
|
|
|
|
|
