How Rugby and star* Scheme Changed a Young Life
At The Atlas Foundation, we champion the power of rugby to build resilience, confidence, and community — especially for young people facing tough challenges. That’s why we’re proud to support the star* scheme, an initiative that has been quietly transforming lives at Chew Valley Rugby Club since 2020.
One of those lives is Cooper’s.
A Difficult Start
Cooper grew up in a household marked by domestic violence.
“He was about four when the relationship broke and we left,” his mum recalls.
“Obviously, that was a hard time for the whole family.”
In the years that followed, Cooper struggled deeply with anxiety. His behaviour became increasingly aggressive. He withdrew into himself. Like many children facing adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), Cooper needed more than just a safe home — he needed connection, structure, and understanding.
That’s when rugby entered his life, through the star* scheme at Chew Valley RFC.
A Game That Gave Him Back His Confidence
From his first training session, the pitch became Cooper’s sanctuary — a place where he wasn’t judged, where he could channel his energy, and where he was simply allowed to be a kid again.
“I think rugby has made a massive difference in his life,” his mum says.
“It’s kept him focused. He’s got a passion for it, and he really enjoys it.
To see him working as part of the team makes me really, really proud.”
The support from the club went beyond the game. Coaches, volunteers, and fellow parents understood that some children carry heavy emotional loads. The star* scheme gave Cooper emotional and financial support, yes — but more importantly, it gave him a sense of belonging.
“They’ve always supported him,” his mum adds.
“They’ve never judged him or his behaviour. I’ve always felt welcome. I’ve always felt part of the club.”
star* Scheme: Trauma-Informed Rugby
The star* scheme was born during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when members of Chew Valley RFC came together to ask: How can we do more for young people in our community?
From that conversation, a new kind of rugby programme was created — one that looks at mental health, trauma, and neurodevelopment alongside sport. Coaches and volunteers are trained to understand how a child’s brain develops in the context of trauma, and how that affects their behaviour, learning, and relationships.
It’s a holistic, compassionate approach — and one that is working.
“I’ve worked in education for 20 years, specialising in supporting children with a range of challenges. We’ve seen kids go from looking at the ground and mumbling ‘hello’, to running over and sharing their rugby stories with pride. That’s what makes this special.”
From Individuals to Community
Cooper’s story is just one of many. The star* scheme has quietly built bridges between schools, grassroots clubs, and even professional teams — introducing taster days for local primary schools that are fun, inclusive, and confidence-building. The hope is that more children, like Cooper, will discover what rugby can offer beyond the scoreboard.
What began as a lockdown project has grown into something powerful: a community of care, woven through the values of rugby.
“We knew it would impact children,” Christian reflects,
“but we never imagined how much it would grow the community of the rugby club itself.”
The Atlas Foundation is proud to support the star* scheme and children like Cooper — proving that, with the right support, rugby can be more than just a game. It can be a lifeline.
