'There is always a place for you on a rugby pitch': Luton rugby club breaking down barriers to open sport up to more kids
A rugby club in Luton is giving back to the community through its work, getting children involved in the sport, and showing them that rugby can be for anyone.
Stockwood Park RFC formally started its charity in November 2025, after two years of outreach to schools in the town.
What started out as a way to increase rugby participation, the project quickly evolved into a community-focused programme addressing financial barriers to organised sport and the underrepresentation of ethnic minorities in rugby.
Alistair Body, coach at the club and The Community Rugby Trust (Stockwood Park) trustee, explained: “We quickly realised that there was more to this than just simply getting more kids playing rugby.
“There was a fundamental lack of engagement with the schools and opportunities for us to deliver something new and fresh for kids that weren’t getting it.”
The Community Rugby Trust (Stockwood Park) began running sessions in schools, offering ways for underprivileged children to play, without the hefty membership or kit price tags.
More than 1,500 children have participated in the charity's programme since it began, and of these, 56 per cent of the students received free school meals.
Alisitair said: “It’s not just about going out to schools and coaching kids. It’s about providing support and resources for those families who ultimately cannot and will not benefit from organised sport outside of school unless they get some financial support.”
The charity has worked to open the sport to make the club "representative of the community”.
The 49-year-old said: “Nearly 45 per cent of all the kids that have come through as a result of the activity we’ve done are from ethnic minorities.
“It doesn’t matter whether you’re short, tall, skinny, big-boned – there is always a role and a place for you on a rugby pitch.”
He wants to create a “sense of belonging” and create lasting bonds between the young players.
Alistair said: “It’s not just about a kid coming and playing rugby – it’s about being part of something.”
The charity has worked with nine schools, with feedback from teachers, families and the players.
He explained: “The response has been amazing. Kids are more engaged, more interested in what they’re doing within the school, and have found a new sense of enjoyment.”
The programme uses rugby as a diversion from youth violence and crime, particularly for children in school Years 3 to 8 – giving them structure, belonging and positive role models.
Alistair said: “We deal with kids all over Luton.
“There are so many stats and so much research being conducted around the likely success of kids that are involved in organised sport outside of school.”
The charity has had players go on to play in their school teams, and one of their success stories is that of a young Black player progressing to Northampton Saints’ under-18s development squad.
Alistair added: “You can see that what we’re creating is starting to have a bit of a legacy.
“We have a policy of not turning any kid away. Every kid who turns up must play half a game.”
For the coach, the changes in the children are what make his job so worthwhile: “It’s seeing the kids and seeing the opportunities you create and opening their eyes.”