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WOODEN SPOON FOREWORD FOREWORD Welcome to Lawrence Dallaglio’s Guide to the Six Nations. The children’s charity of the rugby world, Wooden Spoon, is proud to be the title sponsor of this wonderful publication and we hope you all enjoy reading the in-depth review of the Northern Hemisphere’s most competitive rugby tournament. The game of rugby has changed much over the last 25 years, but the one constant factor in this development of the game has been the continuing growth and effectiveness of Wooden Spoon. Spoon was founded after England’s disappointment on the rugby pitch in the 1983 Five Nations Championship. Since then, Spoon has gone from strength to strength, investing many resources into helping mentally, physically and socially disadvantaged children and young people reach their full potential in life. In 2008, Wooden Spoon celebrated its 25th anniversary. It gave us all a chance to reflect on the achievements of the past and the growth and success of the Charity. We celebrated the work and dedication of our Founders; the original five intrepid rugby supporters who returned from Dublin clutching the original wooden spoon, plus the like minded people, who established the Charity, gave Wooden Spoon its name and set its course so that today Spoon is a major force in sports related charities. The majority of our income is generated through the organisation of high quality events such as golf days, dinners and challenge events. The rugby world has always supported Spoon generously with active participation in our fundraising events by corporates, grassroot rugby clubs, sporting celebrities, and Premiership clubs. The four home unions are Spoon’s patrons and in 2008 the Rugby Football League offered their patronage, making Spoon a cross-code charity, bringing together the spirit and values of both sports for the benefit of others. Over this time more than 350 projects have been supported with over �15 million given in grants. In 2008 alone, 62 new projects were initiated with a total of �1,822,000 committed. We opened more than 30 new projects, of which seven were opened by our Royal Patron, Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal. Projects have ranged from sensory rooms, interactive gardens and playgrounds for special needs children through to support centres, IT equipment for training centres and hydrotherapy pools, as well as rugby projects to combat bullying, violence, obesity and discrimination. In total, over 25,000 more children and young people were helped by Spoon during 2008. So much has been achieved as a consequence of disappointment on the rugby field. 2009 will bring us all many new challenges, as the economy falters and our comforts are tested. Rugby, like Wooden Spoon, has a positive role to play in this climate – bringing together people from different environments, offering an antidote to every day problems and putting smiles on the faces of all those who love this sport. The Six Nations will be seven weeks of excitement and action and will have fans gripped to their seats willing their team to victory. Rugby is more than just a game and a weekend recreation; it is membership of a family whose friendship, camaraderie and support are life long companions. It can be the catalyst to a new life, creating winners both on and off the pitch. The essence of all that is good in rugby remains at the heart of Spoon’s foundations and principles. We harness the spirit and values of the sport and deliver the benefits derived from the generosity of the rugby family to help disadvantaged children and young people reach their full potential in life. Spoon looks forward to the next 25 years
with enthusiasm and passion to raise more funds
and help create more winners in life. Here’s to
success on and off the sporting field in 2009. Chris Gill, CEO Wooden Spoon To join and support Spoon, Above Wooden Spoon has raised more than �15 million to help mentally, physically and socially disadvantaged children CLASSIC SPORTS SERIES / 9 |