The Foundation was established in January 2020 with 3 main objectives: to expand opportunities for all the community and particularly vulnerable and underprivileged young people to engage in rugby and rugby related activities, to drive the positive physical, mental and social impact of these activities and to ensure the long-term sustainability of our partner rugby clubs; Fylde, Fleetwood and Garstang.
Since then, it has expanded rapidly and now offers a huge range of rugby and rugby related programmes throughout Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre including Rugratz Rugby for pre-school age children, rugby sessions for Primary and Secondary Schools, Sixth Form and FE Colleges, a Primary Rugby and Literacy Programme, a Secondary Rugby and Mentoring Programme, Rugby based Holiday Camps, Rugby for MLD and SLD Schools, Wheelchair Rugby and Over 50’s Walking Rugby.
The Foundation’s reach across the Fylde Coast is remarkable. To highlight just a few statistics, in the last academic year alone its team delivered more than 1,100 sessions in 64 Primary Schools, engaging over 6,800 children, while a further 6,618 Secondary School pupils took part in rugby activities. Its ever-popular Holiday Camps welcomed more than 1,000 young people, with over 450 fully funded places ensuring children from all backgrounds could take part. The Foundation’s Mentoring Programme is also delivering real change, with 82% of participating young people showing measurable improvements in behaviour and 76% improving their school attendance. This work is strengthening grassroots rugby too with 109 young people making the move into Mini and Junior rugby at partner clubs just last year alone.
David Craven was one of the founders of the Foundation and has been Chair since 2020. It was David who proposed to the Trustees that it would be a positive move to refresh the senior leadership by having someone new take over as Chair who could bring fresh ideas and a new impetus to the Trustee Board. He proposed Mark Merrick for the position and Mark was approved by all the Trustees.
Mark’s love of rugby was nurtured when at Rossall School in Fleetwood. His first game of adult rugby was playing for Fleetwood 1st XV against Fylde Second XV in September 1986. University and work took Mark away from the Fylde Coast until his return in 2003 by which stage his playing career had come to an end. He then had a long and enjoyable period as a Mini Junior coach. Mark was approached to become a Trustee of the Foundation in late 2024 having been a sponsor since 2020.
To maintain continuity, David Craven will become Vice Chair, and Martin Long the current Vice Chair will remain as a Trustee. Sir Bill Beaumont will also remain as President and all the other trustees, Dave Young, David Wiseman, Vicky Thompson and Tony Attard will continue in situ.
David Craven said “It has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life to take what was simply an idea and create something which is now transforming the lives of many people including many vulnerable and under privileged young people through the power of rugby. I look forward to supporting Mark and continuing to contribute to the Foundation for many years to come.
Mark Merrick said “It is an honour to be asked to take on this new challenge and I have big boots to fill! David has done an incredible job with the Foundation since its inception in 2020. The Foundation is in a strong place and its reach into the Fylde Coast community is phenomenal. Looking to the future, I want to see the continued growth of rugby throughout our communities – if we see the young people who have been introduced to rugby by the Foundation become dedicated senior players over the next few years then all our local clubs should thrive and grow. I look forward to working with all our partners to see the Foundation continue to make a significant physical, mental and social impact in Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre.”
If you would like to know more about Fylde Rugby Community Foundation, please contact Foundation Director Phill Mills at phill@fylderugbyfoundation.com
