Ulster Rugby Foundation Secures Official Charitable Status

The Ulster Rugby Foundation has secured official charitable status, which will allow it to raise vital funds needed to ensure that rugby is a sport open to all ages and abilities across the province.

As a registered charity, the Foundation is committed to using the power of sport, and unique values of rugby, to have a positive impact on participants' lives and our local community.

Set to support grassroots programmes throughout Ulster that use rugby as a tool to enhance physical and mental health, inclusivity and education, the initial focus of the charity will be on providing more opportunities for Women and Girls, increasing access through Disability rugby, and developing young people through local clubs and schools.

Of the announcement, Gerard McCurdy, Chief Commissioner of the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland, said: "I would like to congratulate the Ulster Rugby Foundation on their achievement of charitable status, which marks an important milestone in their development.

"The Foundation is now listed on the Northern Ireland register of charities, a vital online public resource where anyone can, at the click of a button, look up a registered charity and find out what they do, who their trustees are and how their work is benefitting the public." Chair of the Ulster Rugby Foundation Board, Martin Pitt, also welcomed the news: "We believe that rugby has the power to have a lasting positive impact for our local community.

"The funds raised will go directly towards supporting amateur game programmes that help participants to develop a sense of teamwork and resilience skills, as well as improving mental and physical health, and improving educational and employment opportunities.

"The Ulster Rugby Foundation is set to bring about lasting change in the province through its charitable work, and we're all looking forward to continuing to progress that."

David Johnston, Funding Manager at Ulster Rugby, added: "The club is delighted to support the Foundation through a range of fundraising activity at our upcoming games, including at Saturday's BKT United Rugby Championship game versus the Dragons, which is focussed on celebrating the work of the domestic game through the league's Origins Round.

"Fans will be able show their support by purchasing a raffle ticket for the chance to win some great prizes, meeting with the player ambassadors in the fan zone, and hearing the stories of those who are set to directly benefit through our grassroots sport."

For more information on the Ulster Rugby Foundation, visit ulster.rugby/foundation