Annual Grant Update from star* scheme
Being the Foundation’s annual beneficiary has allowed star* to support young people and their families in the Midlands region, providing safe spaces and vital assistance to those young people facing Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). Thanks to your contribution, we've seen remarkable progress this year. 141 young people have registered to be part of the scheme since September 2024, directly benefitting from the safe and supportive environment your funding has created. This means that those young people and their families now have access to trained individuals who can offer crucial star* support in navigating ACEs, fostering resilience and enhancing their well-being. Our club engagement has also expanded. We currently have 14 clubs ‘live’ and actively engaged with young people, with over 300 coaches and volunteers fully trained across the region. Furthermore, 4 new clubs are currently undergoing training, poised to welcome young people into the scheme by September. The reach of your donation is evident in the diverse range of clubs now part of the star* scheme, including Erdington RFC, Rugeley RFC, Wolverhampton RUFC, across to Leicester Forest RFC and Stockwood Park RFC. Each of these clubs is now equipped to provide a nurturing environment, directly attributable to the generosity of Wasps Legends. Your commitment is transforming lives in the Midlands, empowering young people and their families with the resources and support they need to thrive. Moving forward, we are shifting from broad expansion to strategic deepening, intensifying our trauma-informed approach within marginalised communities where traditional services fail to reach. Our three priorities demonstrate this focus: • launching our national #MyBodyMyGame campaign to address why 43% of teenage girls abandon sport • scaling our evidence-based crime prevention work with Greater Manchester Police through a pilot to create replicable frameworks for community-based alternatives to youth justice • building comprehensive "corridors of care" in key regions where young people are supported in trauma-informed safe spaces. This focused approach, with an initial emphasis on creating inclusive spaces for girls and young women, proves that when rugby clubs, schools, police, and families work together with shared trauma-informed understanding, we change how entire communities support their most vulnerable members. Thank you, Wasps Legends, for making a profound difference. [Dan Wooler –star* scheme founder & chair of Trustees] ------------------------- Join Us: Business Club Launch with Dan Wooler Tickets are still available for our inaugural Business Club Launch on Thursday 10th July at 28-50 Marylebone. Click here to secure your place. We’re honoured to have the founder & chair of trustees of our annual grant partner, Dan Wooler join us as our guest speaker. A self-described “mediocre” rugby player, Dan progressed from coaching his two sons at Chew Valley FC in 2008 to launching star* scheme in 2020 – now helping to transform the lives of over a 1,000 young people across grassroots rugby. Dan recently undertook the incredible challenge of rowing the Atlantic—the Mayflower Row—to raise vital funds for star* and Paul’s Place, part of the Mustard Tree. Dan brings a wealth of experience from the world of business and philanthropy. He is CEO and owner of TC Group, and his past roles include senior positions at Shell, Deutsche Bank, and ABN AMRO. He holds a PhD in Geophysics from Cambridge and a MA in Geology from Oxford. We hope you’ll join us on 10th July for what promises to be an inspiring Business Club Breakfast—a unique opportunity for values-driven professionals to thrive, connect, and build valuable relationships and great business connections.
