Developing the best possible strategy to tackle an enormous goal is always challenging. When The Atlas Foundation was first formed, we quickly recognised that prescriptive programmes or schemes could never be entirely effective in supporting children in some of the most disadvantaged and vulnerable places on Earth.
A significant aspect of our work is in the partnerships we form, collaborating with community organisations, sports clubs and teams, charities and education providers to learn how and where our input could be most valuable.
Partnerships are a cornerstone of the Foundation because every country, community, and child may be dealing with very different circumstances, hardships, and barriers to a safe, happy, and opportunity-filled life—and it’s these relationships that mean we can deliver real, practical change.
Exploring the Partnership Working That Underpins The Atlas Foundation
As we often reiterate, the solutions to colossal challenges cannot be designed or deployed remotely by people who lack lived experience or on-the-ground knowledge and are thousands of miles away from the places where children most need help.
We aspire to make tangible changes in the lives of children living with extreme poverty, little or no education, limited or non-existent healthcare, and barriers to inclusion. To date, we are incredibly proud to have made that difference to over 192,000 children in 19 countries.
Over the last ten years, we have formed partnerships with 43 local organisations and created five individual Atlas Abroad groups, working alongside charitable funds, social programmes, and, of course, our fantastic Rugby Champions.
Those partners not only offer invaluable insights into the types of activities, initiatives, welfare schemes, educational opportunities, and healthcare support that will matter most, but they also give us opportunities to develop our work sustainably and in diverse ways, at a scale that would be almost impossible to achieve as a standalone team.
Global partnerships bring together an extraordinarily broad array of people and organisations, providing a collective of passion, knowledge, expertise, skill, and access to resources, contributing to the development of real-world solutions.
Introducing The Atlas Foundations Rugby Champions
We believe that, as a relatively small organisation, but part of a significantly larger network, we can better achieve our purpose and missions, facilitating projects around the globe that help children help themselves, driven by the values and aspiration that are inherent in rugby – the sport we have in common.
With that in mind, it is always a pleasure to clarify the role of our Rugby Champions, an extensive team of rugby legends, sporting heroes, current professional and international players, and leading voices in the development of the sport.
These dedicated Champions influence our work in several ways:
- Champions help us to determine the communities where practical, targeted support could make a quantifiable impact on the life chances of children, and the specific issues and areas where help would make the biggest impact, now and over the long-term.
- Our Champions, alongside The Atlas Foundation Ambassadors, bring publicity to our events, fundraising activities, and causes, using their position and standing to attract greater attention to both the missions we seek to fulfil and the successes and achievements along the way.
- Atlas Champions contribute to fundraising initiatives themselves, whether as hosts and speakers, programme leaders, or participating in events like our Golf Day, this year scheduled for 13th June 2025 at the beautiful Surrey Kingswood Golf and Country Club.
Many Champions have hands-on involvement in projects, working directly with children within their communities. For example, Shane Byrne, the Irish International legend, leads Atlas Ireland, inspired by the deprivation and poverty he saw during his rugby career. This team works hand in hand with International Mixed Ability Sports to address problems at home and abroad.
The Atlas Ireland focus is on helping children healing from trauma, living with disabilities and life-limiting health conditions and mental health challenges, as well as other marginalised groups, working toward improvements in social inclusion through Mixed Ability Rugby to enhance accessibility, representation and involvement in fun within a hugely supportive environment.
Shane has also personally visited communities in Zambia and Zimbabwe, making a practical difference to local children by equipping them with proper balls and boots so that they can play sports safely, having previously played in bare feet.
Our Internal Charitable Structure, Ambassadors and Trustees
Of course, the work of The Atlas Foundation relies on contributions and efforts from a host of people and organisations, and we know that bringing that vigour and enthusiasm together makes us stronger. In addition to Atlas Abroad and our Rugby Champions, we are supported by a multi-talented network.
Charity Trustees and Ambassadors
The Atlas Foundations Board of Trustees is tasked with the general management of the charity and ensuring that all of our work, partnerships, and fundraising activities are consistent with our overachieving aims and ethos.
Trustees aren’t just representatives but act in the interests of the Foundation, making informed decisions, developing best practice policies, and accessing resources to help further the reach of our work.
We currently have seven trustees, including the Foundation’s Founder, Jason Leonard OBE:
- Lord Addington, the House of Lords representative who often leads discussions about Sport and Disability.
- Fiona Stockley, an NHS General Manager for the East London Foundation Trust, who has worked in professional sports as well as in children’s mental health services
- Neil Blair, accomplished publishing agent alongside roles in several charitable causes.
- Nick Bracken, OBE DL, is a former Commander with the Metropolitan Police and has current and past roles as President of rugby unions and councils in Essex and London.
- Damien Bradbury, past grassroots rugby player and experienced wealth management professional, known for his invaluable support of several charities, including the most successful workplace charity in the UK.
- Ben Nicholson, committed rugby coach and volunteer, long-term fundraiser and supporter, and head of Atlas Asia and the Anita, Alex & Annabel Nicholson Memorial Fund, while also being Managing Partner at Asia Wotton & Kearney.
Our trustees are supported by The Atlas Foundation Ambassadors, who work tirelessly to organise events, secure representatives and funds, and ultimately help us achieve our ambitions
Behind the scenes, our in-house team and our marketing partners, Woya Digital, brings all these moving parts and components together. With Caitlin Clark, our Marketing and Communications Officer, Sally Hoddell, Finance and Development Manager, Jo Rolfe, Head of Fundraising, and Peter Scott, General Manager, all bringing their own unique experiences, love of sport, and aptitudes to keep our trustees, champions, ambassadors, and partners moving forward in the same direction.
Further information about the structure of The Atlas Foundation, all team members and ambassadors and the achievements thus far through our partnership projects are available through our website.
