The Penguin International Rugby Charity
The Penguin International Rugby Football Trust is registered with the UK Charity Commission under Charity No 1081047.
A charity was formed in 1999 under the name - Penguin International Rugby Football Trust - as a member of the “Penguin International Rugby Family”. The Trust is registered with the UK Charity Commission under Charity No 1081047.
The charity’s objects are educational, with particular reference to the provision throughout the world of coaching for young persons in the skills of rugby football and, where appropriate, the provision of financial and other assistance for those youngsters.
The Trust supports the HSBC/Penguin International Coaching Academy which organises structured rugby coaching programmes and coach-tutoring courses for youngsters in overseas countries where that expertise is not available locally. This helps youngsters to improve their skills and knowledge of rugby. It also encourages participation in the game of rugby which, in turn, teaches overseas youngsters about sportsmanship, teamwork, camaraderie and traditional sporting values for which the Penguins are renowned. True to its name, the Trust’s support is “International “ in its scope – the Coaching Academy has travelled widely, with recent visits including places as far apart and diverse as Malaysia, Borneo, Canada, Malta, Hong Kong, Mexico, Ireland, Guam and (in conjunction with the British and Irish Lions’ tour in 2009) South Africa. Qualified rugby coaches of the highest calibre are involved and international referees assist at some sessions.
The Trust has also established and administers The Alan Wright Rugby Scholarship which provides scholarships for young overseas players with potential but limited means. Two scholarships were awarded to enable two talented Malaysian teenagers to attend an elite rugby course in England and a scholarship has been awarded to an Irish youngster who attended the International Rugby Academy of New Zealand.
The charity’s activities and funds are administered by Trustees, all of whom act in a voluntary capacity as does the Hon Secretary. The Trust’s administrative expenses are negligible so that all its funds can be used exclusively for charitable and educational purposes in the field of rugby world-wide.
The present Trustees of the charity are all Committee Members of Penguin International Rugby Football Club as follows:-
David Harris - Chairman of the Trustees
Dougie Meikle - Charity Secretary
Tim Gabelko
Martin Waite
Brian Cusack
Nick Penny
Ben Breeze
The activities of the charity - overseas rugby coaching and rugby scholarships for overseas youngsters - are funded exclusively by donations. So far, donations have been received from Vice Presidents of Penguin International RFC for which the Trustees are most grateful. Needless to say, donations from any personal and/or corporate sources will be most welcome at any time to enable the charity to continue its activities. Supporters of the game of rugby may also wish to remember the Penguin Charity when the time comes to think about charitable bequests in their will. All donations are and will be put to excellent use for the benefit of youngsters participating in rugby world-wide in places where local resources and expertise are unavailable or limited.
Because the Trust is registered as a charity in the United Kingdom, the Trust is able to claim a refund for sterling donations to the charity by a UK taxpayer. This represents a significant increase in the amount of any donation made to the Trust. Whenever a donation is received from a UK taxpayer, the donor is asked to complete the necessary Gift Aid Declaration so the refund claim can be made.
Please email the charitysecretary@penguinrugby.com to request the Charity Donation and Gift Aid form.
Penguin International Rugby Charity
The Penguin International Rugby Football Trust is
registered with the UK Charity Commission under Charity No 1081047.
