STRENGTH IN NUMBERS Wasps legend Lawrence pitches for partnership to conquer rugby’s Covid challenge
H
AVING lifted the World Cup with England and clinched five Premiership titles and two European Cup victories at Wasps, Lawrence Dallaglio knows more than most about the rewards of teamwork and uniting with others to overcome adversity. They are trusted tactics the former flank forward – famed for dishing out hard hits on the pitch – firmly believes must be adopted by those rugby-related charities looking to make a lasting impact off the field in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. Faced with a shared rival in Covid-19, which has left many third sector organisations fighting for survival, the ex-England skipper has joined Wooden Spoon (page 13) in issuing a rallying call to the sport’s caring community to close ranks. “The power of collaboration is long overdue and the need to come together is probably greater now than it has ever been,” the founder of Dallaglio RugbyWorks, which helps young people to achieve positive and productive futures through education, employment and training support, told Spoonews. “I think it is really important for charities like Wooden Spoon and RugbyWorks to collaborate. The rugby community has always been about teamwork and coming together and that is the best way to get through this tricky period.” The Richmond resident, who set up his foundation after hanging up his boots and following the death of his mother from cancer in 2008, is no stranger to the children’s charity of rugby. Having served as president of Wooden Spoon Middlesex for ten years and seen first-hand how it improves young lives regionally and nationally, the World Cup winner is confident with the capabilities of RugbyWorks’ new teammate. “Working alongside such an amazing charity means everyone wins,” the 48-year-old, who captained Wasps to European glory in 200607, added. “Our young people will receive the benefits of the partnership and hopefully then can learn from the charities’ shared skills and values and take them forward into their future lives. “What we as RugbyWorks have learned
14
Autumn/Winter 2020
during the coronavirus pandemic is the requirement for collaboration – not just with our long-term partners but through developing new, exciting relationships, which will hopefully benefit even more young people.” Creating further capacity to throw a shoulder of support behind those children and teenagers in need will help to tackle any additional demand caused by Covid-19, according to Lawrence, who was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 2008. Citing an increase in social isolation as a consequence of lockdowns and travel restrictions as a major concern, he added: “I don’t think we will honestly understand the impact of this time on the younger generation for another few years yet. “They have missed a period of education unlike any generation since wartime. I don’t
“The children we work with don’t have the unconditional love, belief system and parenting that I was lucky to grow up with and have had throughout my life.”
want to sound too dramatic, but that is the reality. You are what you are exposed to and young people have lost out on many experiences over the last six months.” Among the moments missed during the national lockdown were RugbyWorks’ coaching sessions, which – along with all sporting activity – were abruptly forced into hibernation in March. The recent return to the training pitch – and opportunity for youngsters to exercise and release pent-up frustrations – has proved a welcome highlight of a trying year for the scheme, which was introduced to tackle startling statistics that show up to seven out of ten 14- to 17-year-olds who drop out of the education system end up in prison. Welcoming back his pre-emptive strike against the prospect of young people going off the rails, Lawrence said: “The children we work with don’t have the unconditional love, belief system and parenting that I was lucky to grow up with and have had throughout my life. “So it’s great that they can start to smile again and think positively about their futures. They have said to our mentors how glad they are to see our coaches and our people back in their lives. Hopefully we can now start to build on that and build those key life skills that will allow them to prosper. “It is something I am very passionate about because rugby came into my life when I was young,” explained the 2016 inductee of the World Rugby Hall of Fame, who spent his entire playing career in Wasps colours. “I was definitely asking a lot of questions and was incredibly challenging as a teenager and found rugby helped me in a very positive way. “That is the reason I set up RugbyWorks, which is all about working with a small number of people to have a profound impact on their lives.” While those under Lawrence’s expert tutelage face a brighter future, the same can not be currently said for the sport in which he excelled. At both elite and grass roots level, rugby is shrouded by dark clouds with supporters starved of live action and fears mounting
woodenspoon.org.uk
