Supporting Veterans' Transition Through Rugby

Providing military personnel with a toolkit to take the first steps towards a seamless transition into civilian life – together.

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Our Cause

Veteran Stories

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Supporting our veterans in life after service – through the power of sport.

Rugby For Heroes exists to make sure no veteran faces the journey to civilian life alone. Leaving the military can be one of the biggest challenges a serviceperson will ever face. Rugby For Heroes provides a network of professional experts who specialise in professional development, employment opportunities, well-being support, and rugby coaching qualifications (Level 2 ERCA badge) to help us connect veterans with the support they need for this life-changing journey.

Through our initiatives such as the Transition Through Rugby coaching course and Beyond the Uniform veterans’ business networking, and the support of Patron Mike Tindall MBE, and leaders across sport and business, Rugby For Heroes opens doors to lasting opportunities and support networks.

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Our free Transition Through Rugby residential coaching course gives veterans the chance to earn their Level 2 ERCA rugby coaching badge, accredited by England Rugby. This course empowers veterans to coach their local clubs at any level through the power of the sport we love, whilst providing a supportive community to aid their transition into civilian life.

Our Beyond The Uniform Veterans Business Networking Event is part of Rugby for Heroes’ wider programme to support service leavers by connecting them with employers and preparing them for life beyond the military. Beyond The Uniform opens doors into civilian careers by connecting veterans with our business network in a job fair setting.

Transition is about more than finding a new job, it’s about finding identity, purpose and confidence. Our well-being and veterans support groups create a safe space for veterans to share experiences, access guidance, and rediscover a sense of belonging within a positive, supportive community with like-minded individuals who have served.

With the backing of Patron and former England captain Mike Tindall MBE and the support of a growing network of ambassadors, including Amy Williams MBE,  Julian Lewis Jones, Nick Knowles, alongside business partners, we create real opportunities for veterans to build a strong, confident future. Through fundraising events that highlight the transition impact, we are able to provide access to create lasting change.

Supporting veterans on their transition

How We Help

Ways to donate

Support a Transitioning Veteran Today

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TRANSITION THROUGH RUGBY

GAIN LEVEL 2 RUGBY COACHING BADGE

Supporting our serving and former veterans find purpose through our Transition Through Rugby Course (check eligibility). Our nationally certified Level 2 ERCA (England Rugby) course has been specifically designed to provide our service leavers and military personnel the skills and knowledge required to coach from grassroots level rugby, mini, junior & senior rugby. This nationally recognised qualification can be utilised in any rugby club throughout the UK.

OUR NEXT UPCOMING COURSE

21-26 SEPTEMBER 2025

At Old Richians RFC, Sandyleaze, GL2 0PY.
Click here to apply.

FUTURE COURSES

8-13 FEBRUARY 2026

At Old Richians RFC, Sandyleaze, GL2 0PY.
Fill in Form OR-102 provided

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Who We Help

Rowena Wakeham

Rowena Wakeham

Major - It has given me the confidence to believe in myself. The other attendees were fantastic, and a great group. The organisation team really set the ethos for the week and supported us. I’d definitely recommend the course. It was great connecting with like-minded...

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Tim Tamani

Tim Tamani

WO2 "The course has given me a clearer understanding of the transition process, from CV writing and interview techniques to networking and industry insights. It has also helped me identify how my military leadership, problem-solving, and coaching skills translate into...

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Paul Greenwood

Paul Greenwood

MC W02 Rugby for Heroes has been an incredible source of support and encouragement for me this year. Through their programs, I've been able to build my confidence and find a sense of worth that I didn't have before. They've provided me with the tools and resources I...

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Upcoming Events & Fundraising

JHA Charity Golf Day, supporting our veterans

JHA Charity Golf Day, supporting our veterans

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On Wednesday, 27 August 2025, teams will join us at Oulton Hall, Leeds (LS26 8HN), for the annual JHA Golf Day in support of our veterans. This year’s event builds on the success of the 2024 tournament, which featured former England centre and Rugby for Heroes patron...

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"Having spent most of my career in the military in preseasons, we formed quite a bond with the military… When you come out, you can feel lost... What Rugby for Heroes is trying to do is bridge that gap and show that rugby is another place you can go, another family you can find when you leave the military."

Patron, Mike Tindall

What We Do
Meet Our Ambassadors

Meet Our Ambassadors

Thinus Delport

Thinus Delport

Thinus Delport is a South African ex rugby union player who played at wing or fullback for Worcester Warriors and South Africa. He started his career playing for the Lions from U21 level and he made his senior debut in 1997. Thinus has been a great ambassador for the charity, regularly attending dinners, putting his boots on to captain our charity rugby team, and most importantly leading our Transition Through Rugby courses for military men and women.

Julian Lewis Jones

Julian Lewis Jones

With a 20-year career as a well-known Welsh actor, Julian Lewis Jones has been a dedicated Rugby For Heroes Ambassador with a very close personal connection to rugby. Most recently the face of the Six Nations Welsh campaign, Julian has been a long-standing and supportive figure within the charity, playing an active role in championing our cause. He even took on the #Welsh3000s mountain challenge in support of our veterans’ transition.

With notable appearances at fundraising events, including the Battle of the Balls celebrity football match, the Lee Cole Memorial Match, and our latest Six Nations Q&A Lunch, among many others, Julian has consistently shown his support for our mission and the military community we serve.
“It is such an important charity, and the work they do for our ex-service men and women is truly fantastic.”
Amy Williams MBE

Amy Williams MBE

One of our longest-serving ambassadors, accomplished Olympic gold medalist Amy Williams, has been involved with the charity for nearly a decade, showing her support for our military through our sporting and military events.
Amy’s relationship with the charity began through her connection to the regimented life of top athletes. As a former skeleton racer and Olympic gold medalist, she retired in 2012 after a long career in the athletic world. Amy has used her experience and expertise from years in sport to build a new and exciting career as a motivational speaker and TV presenter, much like many who transition after service.
Amy is also a local supporter of the Bath City FC Foundation in her hometown of Bath and has shown incredible support for our military community.
Kelly Sotherton MBE

Kelly Sotherton MBE

Kelly Sotherton is a triple Olympic Medallist in Heptathlon and 4x400m. She has won multiple medals at World and European championships including being Commonwealth Games Champion. This makes her one of the most decorated British female athletes in track and field history. Kelly works in coach development and talent pathway within Athletics and also is a national team coach at all levels at Championships. The 2018/19 Rugby season has seen Kelly become Wasps 1st team performance running coach. Kelly is a passionate advocate for Sports Governance including athlete well-being, duty of care and doping in sport. In 2017, she founded British Athletics Athlete commission. Kelly sits on various boards and commissions Nationally and Internationally. Kelly is extremely honoured to be made an ambassador and looking forward to helping to support our military personnel from their transition to civilian life.
Ryan Lamb

Ryan Lamb

A former pupil of St Peter’s High School, Ryan made his professional debut in the European Challenge Cup quarter final against Brive in 2006 which Gloucester Rugby won comfortably. Lamb started in the subsequent final, as Gloucester defeated his future club, London Irish. Ryan is a Founder member of the charity and has supported the cause in many ways from fundraising, attending the events, even rallying up players to help support. He is passionate about helping our ex service men and women as they transition to civilian life.

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Our Sponsors

Companies that would love to get involved – please get in touch via the form on the contact page