Rugby For Heroes

What Rugby For Heroes does

Rugby For Heroes is a UK-registered charity (Registered Charity: 1140439) founded in 2011 and headquartered at the Blackbridge Community and Sports Hub in Gloucester, England. It supports military service leavers and veterans transitioning to civilian life through three core pillars: accredited rugby coaching (the Transition Through Rugby course delivering a Level 2 ERCA qualification recognised across UK rugby clubs), career development (Beyond the Uniform employer networking events across energy, construction, logistics, defence, and recruitment sectors), and mental well-being support (including mental health first aid training within the coaching curriculum). A quarterly reviewed grant programme provides direct financial assistance for business startups, further education, or post-injury bills, with case study data showing support for individual veterans such as Chris Tandy.

The organisation operates with 1–10 employees and no proprietary technology platform. Its build is a service-based delivery model: in-person 6-day Transition Through Rugby courses delivered at the Blackbridge Sports Hub, supported by an annual Lee Cole Memorial Match, peer-to-peer fundraising challenges, and signature events such as the HMA Tax Polo Event. The technology layer consists of a Wix-hosted website, social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok), a JustGiving donation integration with Gift Aid support, and a Google Forms course-booking pipeline. Governance is provided by a board of trustees; the chairman is Simon Bailey, and high-profile patrons include Mike Tindall MBE and Nick Knowles.

Revenue is generated entirely through charitable giving: individual donations and peer-to-peer fundraising via JustGiving, corporate sponsorship (main sponsor Howard Tenens, plus Xansium, HMA Tax, Barclays, Cluberly, Blackeye Gin, JHA Architecture, and Altrad), proceeds from fundraising events, and gifts-in-kind such as signed memorabilia auctions. A core strategic partnership with the Rugby Football Union enables the nationally portable coaching qualification, and a branded consumer product (Blackeye Gin) routes a portion of sales to the charity. All services to veterans are provided free of charge, and the customer base is exclusively non-paying beneficiaries (UK veterans and serving personnel within 24 months of discharge), making donor and sponsor concentration the primary commercial risk factor.

Name

Rugby For Heroes

Legal name

Rugby For Heroes

Website

https://rugbyforheroes.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Rugby For Heroes is a UK-registered charity (Registered Charity: 1140439) founded in 2011 in Gloucester that supports military veterans and serving personnel within 24 months of discharge to transition into civilian life through accredited Level 2 ERCA rugby coaching qualifications, quarterly financial grants, mental well-being support, and employer networking events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Veteran Support Services

NAICS

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (62431)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Arts, Sports & Recreation-Based Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cause, Community & CSR-Linked Sports Partnerships (Foundations, Youth Programs) (MPAKALAJ), Rugby (Union & League) Leagues (MPAKAAAG), Club Sports Programs (EDALAIAB)

Keywords

• Veteran support services
• Military transition assistance
• Rugby coaching qualifications
• Veteran employment programmes
• Charitable grant funding

Headquarters

HQ city

Gloucester

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations: Individual donations received through JustGiving platform and direct contact. The organization is registered as a charity (1140439) and accepts donations to support its mission of helping veterans transition to civilian life.
2. Fundraising Events: Community fundraising through events including charity challenges, fundraising dinners, charity matches, and peer-to-peer fundraising campaigns organized by supporters.
3. Grant Programme: Rugby for Heroes operates a grant programme to provide financial support to servicemen and women during transition. Grants are reviewed quarterly by trustees and can support business startups, further education, or covering bills post-injury.
4. Corporate Sponsorship: Support from corporate sponsors including Howard Tenens, Xansium, HMA Tax, Barclays, Cluberly, Blackeye Gin, and JHA Architecture who provide financial and in-kind support for events and programmes.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Rugby For Heroes is a UK-registered charity that assists military veterans transitioning to civilian life by providing accredited rugby coaching qualifications (Level 2 ERCA), financial grants, career development support, and mental well-being resources. Its flagship Transition Through Rugby course is delivered in person at the Blackbridge Sports Hub in Gloucester, with programmes funded through individual donations, corporate sponsorship, and community fundraising events.

Product overview

Rugby For Heroes is a charitable organization offering a portfolio of interconnected services designed to support veterans transitioning from military to civilian life. The core offerings include the Transition Through Rugby (TTR) Course, which provides a Level 2 ERCA coaching qualification, the Veterans Grant Programme for financial assistance, the annual Lee Cole Memorial Match, Fundraising Support resources, and Beyond the Uniform networking events that connect veterans with employers. Volunteer Committees (Events, Media, and Operational) support the delivery of these services. The organization functions primarily as a service-based charity rather than a technology product company.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Transition Through Rugby (TTR) Course A nationally certified Level 2 ERCA (England Rugby) coaching qualification programme delivered to service leavers and military personnel. The course covers coaching principles, people skills, self-awareness, project management, teamwork, and mental health first aid, enabling graduates to coach at any rugby club across the UK.
• Veterans Grant Programme Financial support programme providing grants to servicemen and women during their transition from military to civilian life. Grants are reviewed quarterly by trustees and can be used to start a business, undertake further education, or cover bills during post-injury recovery.
• Fundraising Support Resources and guidance for individuals and groups organising charity challenges or events to raise money for the charity, including advice on JustGiving integration, Gift Aid eligibility for UK donors, and social media campaign promotion.
• Beyond the Uniform Networking Events Recurring business and veterans networking events connecting Transition Through Rugby course participants with employers from sectors including energy, construction, logistics, defence, and recruitment to facilitate veteran employment pathways.
• Lee Cole Memorial Match Annual memorial rugby match honouring Lee Cole, a veteran who was instrumental in the charity's early days. The event celebrates his legacy and contribution to supporting fellow veterans through rugby.

Quantifiable outcome

• Veterans receive nationally recognized Level 2 ERCA rugby coaching qualification enabling employment at any rugby club in the UK
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Rugby Football Union (RFU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with the Rugby Football Union to support veterans in gaining a nationally recognized Level 2 ERCA rugby coaching qualification. This qualification can be utilized at any rugby club throughout the UK, providing direct employment pathways for veterans.
• Howard TenenscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMain sponsor of Rugby For Heroes. Howard Tenens Logistics hosted the Beyond the Uniform business and veterans networking event at their Swindon headquarters. Quality-focused independent family business providing logistics and collaboration services.
• XansiumminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor providing innovation and secure, scalable software solutions across private and public sector. Supports Rugby For Heroes mission.
• HMA TaxminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor specializing in property capital tax allowances. Hosted Rugby For Heroes as beneficiary charity at HMA Tax Polo Event at Beaufort Polo Club in the Cotswolds, featuring a three-team tournament and charity auction.
• BarclaysminorGTM or Marketing PartnerUK-centred leader in global finance and corporate sponsor supporting Rugby For Heroes. Works towards better financial future for customers, clients and communities.
• CluberlyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor dedicated to aiding sports clubs, schools, and charities across the nation. Provides support for Rugby For Heroes initiatives.
• Blackeye GinminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Unofficial Spirit of Rugby. Crafted by rugby legends Mike Tindall, James Haskell, and broadcaster Alex Payne. Award-winning London Dry gin with proceeds supporting Rugby For Heroes mission.
• JHA ArchitectureminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHighly skilled team of professional architectural and surveying consultants with extensive experience in construction industry sectors. Corporate sponsor of Rugby For Heroes.
• AltradminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGlobal leader in industrial services and major force in world rugby. Donated signed All Blacks and Black Ferns rugby memorabilia to be auctioned to fund Transition Through Rugby courses.
• Adjacency Recruitment GroupminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRecruitment company that participated in Beyond the Uniform networking event. Recognizes veterans as exceptional hires with highly transferable skills and exceptional mindsets.
• Veterans Welfare GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVeterans support organization. Dean Philips serves as Armed Forces Lead and Rugby For Heroes ambassador, supporting personnel through transition and discharge process.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Forces in Mind Trust: Funded by a LIBOR fine, this trust funds research and programmes enabling ex-Forces to transition to civilian life; a potential grantor/funder peer in the same transition outcome space.
• Royal British Legion: Large established UK charity providing welfare, employment and community support to serving personnel, veterans and their families; competes with RFH for veteran transition funding and donor mindshare at a much larger scale.
• SSAFA: Long-standing UK Armed Forces charity delivering personal support, housing, and employment help to veterans; an incumbent in the same beneficiary segment with overlapping employment-transition services.

Direct peers

• Walking With The Wounded: UK charity supporting ex-military personnel into employment, mirroring RFH's career development pillar and competing for employer-partnership funding.
• Combat Stress: UK charity specializing in mental health treatment for veterans, addressing one of RFH's three pillars (mental well-being) and competing for the same veteran support donations.
• Help for Heroes: UK military charity supporting wounded veterans with recovery and transition services; the closest direct peer in the veteran transition space, sharing the same beneficiary base and donor pool as Rugby For Heroes.
• The Forces Employment Charity (RFEA): Specialist charity helping ex-Forces into employment; overlaps directly with RFH's Beyond the Uniform networking events and grant-funded business startup support.

Emerging players

• Matt Hampson Foundation: UK charity supporting people seriously injured through sport, with strong rugby community ties; a comparable niche sports-cause charity leveraging rugby networks for fundraising.
• Wooden Spoon: The children's charity of rugby, using rugby's community to raise funds for disadvantaged children; comparable cause-linked rugby charity model, though serving a different beneficiary group.

Regional players

• Scotty's Little Soldiers: UK military charity supporting bereaved children of personnel; comparable small charity using military community networks for service delivery, though in a different sub-segment.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Rugbyforheroes
• Facebookfacebook.com/rugbyforheroes
• Instagraminstagram.com/rugbyforheroes
• TikToktiktok.com/@rugbyforheroes?_t=ZN-90rny6Lq9xu&_r=1

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Rugby For Heroes