The Atlas Foundation, the global children's charity built on the values of rugby, is celebrating the achievements of its school partners for 2025, following incredible efforts by the team and supporters from Dauntsey's School, who were crowned the winners of the U18s Plate at the RFU Continental Tyres Schools Final.
Alongside their success on the pitch, pupils from Dauntsey’s used the occasion to raise funds for their nominated charity, selling over 200 branded tops designed by the students, with all of the money collected donated directly to The Atlas Foundation.
The Atlas Foundation and Its School Partnership Programme
Founded by rugby legend Jason Leonard OBE, Atlas is solely focused on providing sustainable, meaningful support for the most disadvantaged children around the world. It has, to date, partnered with 47 community groups, schools and sports clubs in 21 countries to deliver health, education and inclusion outcomes for 219,203 children.
As part of this work, the charity regularly launches initiatives with schools and colleges, raising awareness about the inequalities and hardships children face and using education to inspire young people to learn more about the power of sport, volunteering and using collective efforts to make real differences to children in desperate need.
Dauntsey’s School, an independent day and boarding school in Wiltshire, invited students to vote for the charity they wished to support for the year, and they have thrown themselves into fundraising and awareness projects with enthusiasm.
Their achievements at the U18 Schools Final are just one example of the passion the young people have brought both to rugby and their advocacy for the charity.
Revisiting Dauntsey’s Rugby Win in Support of The Atlas Foundation
England Rugby described Dauntsey’s victory as ‘dominant’, with the team taking the lead within the first five minutes and ending in a convincing 55-35 scoreline against St Anselm’s College. The squad were delighted to lift the plate, and presented the funds raised through t-shirt sales to Jason Leonard, Atlas Chairman and Founder, who attended in person to cheer on the teams.
The second most-capped England player and World Cup winner said, ‘It was a fantastic day, and having the opportunity to watch young people playing the sport I love is brilliant, with a display of grit, determination and resilience on the part of both teams – including St Anselm’s, who didn’t give up until the final whistle.
I was thrilled to attend the match and support the players, coaches and officials, all of whom work so hard throughout the year to prepare for these big matches, and to show my appreciation for the dedicated fundraising efforts, which have been nothing less than inspiring.
Dauntsey’s have been wonderful school partners, and we remain grateful for their fundraising efforts, with this the latest in a busy programme of events, from students taking on the Westminster Canoe Race, running the Paris Half Marathon, and even heading to Kenya to deliver sports kits to the Little Sports Organisation.’
Further Information About Atlas Foundation School Partnerships
Dauntsey’s has exceeded its fundraising target for the year, with those finances being contributed to an Atlas project partner, Kings Rugby Development Academy. The academy works in Kibera, the largest urban slum in Africa, where issues such as gang violence, a lack of clean water and sanitation make everyday life unthinkably hard for thousands of children.
The partners on the ground provide children with access to education, uplifting rugby sessions, health check-ups, learning resources, clean drinking water and nutritious meals, alongside life-changing opportunities for children to learn life skills and build a path out of poverty with rugby scholarships.
Young people at Dauntsey's have undoubtedly benefited from having one of England's all-time rugby greats cheering on their U18s team, but have also demonstrated a sense of purpose and community, thinking of inventive ideas and challenges they can take on.
Schools and colleges interested in establishing partnerships with The Atlas Foundation are welcome to contact the charity directly.
They can also review more details about Dauntsey's fundraising efforts over the year so far, the projects and communities the charity supports, and its diverse partners working in regions across Cambodia, Eswatini, the US, South Africa, Thailand, India and here in the UK, to name but a few.
Read more about Atlas Foundation - Supporting The Atlas Foundation, the International Rugby Charity Changing the Lives of Children in 21 Countries
About The Atlas Foundation
Founded by rugby legend Jason Leonard OBE, The Atlas Foundation uses rugby as a tool to improve the lives of children in disadvantaged communities around the world. By partnering with local organisations, The Atlas Foundation provides educational, health, and social development opportunities to help children thrive.
Media Contact:
Beatrice Quinney
Marketing and Communications Officer
The Atlas Foundation
+44 (0)207 043 2232
