Coventry Rugby Foundation launches 150th anniversary appeal to leave ‘lasting legacy’

One of the city’s oldest sports clubs has officially launched its 150th anniversary appeal. Coventry Rugby Foundation marked the milestone with a breakfast of champions at its home in Butts Park Arena. But as well as celebrating the past, the club is looking to the future with plans to increase its ground capacity, develop affordable homes for older people and provide community facilities.

There is also a desire to increase participation in rugby with a newly launched academy. And to help with this, the club has created packages costing from £500 for businesses to sign up and provide financial support. Jon Edwards, chairman of the Coventry Rugby Foundation, said this support would be vital to the plans.

He said: “The foundation has invested over £500,000 over the past five years and has impacted the lives of over 10,000 people. Our many well-established programs are testament to the fact that sport can create positive opportunities, build social cohesion and enhance physical and mental well-being.

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“We want to help people be their best, and we know that sport can play a key role in that because we see practical evidence of this all the time. We want to be able to do more and we need your support. local businesses to do that.”

The figures were at the breakfast of champions, where Coventry Rugby chief executive Jon Sharp explained future plans. The club has finished in the top three of the Championship in back-to-back seasons and wants to become a “sustainable and financially independent business”.

Presentations were also given by representatives of LEVC, the Royal Shakespeare Company and Premier Health Products. Mr Edwards added: “We aim to leave a lasting legacy for Coventry Rugby’s 150th anniversary and to that end we have created a range of business packages available from £500 for those who I want to help”.

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