ANNUAL REVIEW 2018 - 2019

Our SuPerherOes don’t neeDcapes

Changing Lives Through Sport The Wolves Charitable Foundation Annual Review 2018-19 MORE THAN A SPORT Rugby League is central to our community and provides a sense of belonging. The Charitable Foundation is the Club’s charity and uses the power of sport to engage our children, young people and families to lead happier and healthier lives.

This year we continued from where we left off, having added a few new signings and a new set of plays that focus on the needs of our community.

The Board have been working towards implementing a strategy with impact at the heart of the organisation. Our key areas continue to be sport, health and education with inclusion central to our projects.

With another great season, we have worked with more than 20,000 children, young people and families. Our 2018-2019 Report will focus on the people we support and the impact we have had.

Throughout the year, teamwork has been key to the effectiveness of our programmes. Without our Business Patrons, Stakeholders and Volunteers we could not have made the ‘Big Hits’ throughout the season.

We look forward to continuing our work on impact and providing a strategy that will support outcomes to change lives and provide a town to be proud to belong to.

Terry O’Neill Chair of the Trustees

Board of Trustees Terry O’ Neill, Tony Coyne, Pat Kitto, Alan Yates, John Gartside OBE, Peter Astley MBE, Karen Houghton, Stuart Hurst, Pam Eden, Connor Austin. The Warrington Wolves Charitable Foundation Annual Review 2018-19 I FEEL ALIVE! Adam describing how playing ADAM Rugby League makes him feel. HAVE ” CELEBRITIES “ DREAMS TOO! 12 Rugby League

Australian comedian and presenter of ‘The Last players with Leg’ Adam Hills is better known in Warrington for setting up the very first UK Physical Disability disabilities travelled Rugby League team. to Australia and

A dream of playing for his beloved South became World Sydney Rabbitohs turned into an obsession which has seen him and his team mates Champions create history.

From missing limbs to brain injuries and cerebral palsy, a bunch of unlikely heroes have transformed people’s perceptions. “Who says we can’t play Rugby League?”

In 2018 the team travelled to Australia as ’s first Club Champions to take on Adam’s Rabbitohs in the first . The stage was Olympic Park, Sydney and the fairytale complete. Warrington Wolves became the first ever World Club Champions, which is something you can never take away from this special group of players.

Warrington Wolves now boast Physical, Learning and Wheelchair disability teams. The Warrington Wolves Charitable Foundation Annual Review 2018-19 I AM HERE TO ENTERTAIN “THE CROWD. COME ON OLIVER THE WIRE FROM WOLF CLUB TO Oliver before Oliver has Down’s Syndrome and once he left school he felt isolated with playing for the few opportunities for social interaction. Learning Disability team at . Wolf Club is a place for young people with disabilities aged 12- 25 run by ” the Foundation and its volunteers.

It provides opportunities to participate in sports, music, catering and creative activities. Its aim is to improve confidence and help make new friends, a place where everyone belongs.

Oliver not only thrived in the environment he excelled and is now an activity leader. His social network has expanded as well as his head!!

He also took the opportunity to further his journey by playing for our Learning Disability Rugby League team, which has certainly brought him out of his shell.

It has allowed him the chance of a lifetime to play at Anfield, home of Liverpool FC, although he wishes it could have been . One day who knows?

Over 100 participants are registered with our disability Youth Club supported by Children in Need. The Warrington Wolves Charitable Foundation Annual Review 2018-19 I know that there are people that would “have given up. Setbacks OLIVER KARLTON happen in life, PERSISTENCE but if you want AND BELIEF something, This is the first year of a partnership with Priestley College and our Rugby League believe in it and team in the set-up of the Category Three Academy. The Academy supports the pathway of late maturers and love of the sport at a high level. work for it

Karlton previously trained with the Wolves but was released after struggling to Karlton Bates live up to his potential. He was heartbroken and wanted to work harder to find a way in.

The Priestley College Academy offers the chance to complete academic studies as well as 8 hours of Rugby League development each week. The added ” discipline and structure keep students focussed. The game provides highly competitive matches across the country and Karlton’s performance and attitude has impressed the Wolves Head of Performance so much that he has been offered a professional contract.

The Academy is a prime example of giving players further opportunity to play and develop to a high level and never give up on a goal they love.

30 young people enrolled in College to continue their studies supported by the Rugby Academy Development Programme. The Warrington Wolves Charitable Foundation Annual Review 2018-19 SOPHIE THIS GIRL CAN

Sophie is a role model to all young girls, a fulltime firefighter and Rugby League player with Warrington Wolves.

This is Sophie’s first season playing Rugby League. At 28 years of age she decided to stop playing football where she had played for her local team, Eagle Sports, since she was 6 years old. Don’t be afraid

Her Dad put 99% of his time into her sporting interests when growing of the unknown or up, whether it was driving her everywhere or taking her to the local failing, I wouldn’t field to play golf. Everyone needs someone to encourage and support “ them and that’s where the Foundation has helped the development of be playing rugby Women and Girls Rugby. It has caught us all by surprise. The numbers have grown week on week. Most are new to the game; their skills and or have a career in confidence are improving with each game. the Fire Service if I

Sophie’s day job is in the Fire Service. She joined at 25 but first became Over 80 hadn’t taken a leap interested in a career aged 11 following the tragic 9/11 attacks in New of faith. Personal York. She remembers seeing all the fire-fighters exhausted and beaten, new Women putting others before their own needs and that gave her the drive to battles are the worst want to be a part of that and to help people. and Girls type of battles and She has always been accustomed to being the “only girl”, whether playing Rugby I’d love for people to this was in a sports team or simply just playing sport with the lads in her street. In a male dominated role she has been accepted for simply League for look at me and think, being herself. She was the only female in her team but times are if she can do it, definitely changing in both careers and sport and she would encourage the first time any female to take up a career as a fire-fighter and try Rugby League so can I while you’re at it! Sophie Cowle. Warrington Wolves Women’s Rugby League Player ” The Warrington Wolves Charitable Foundation Annual Review 2018-19

These huge benefits don’t even begin to touch on the vast number of new skills Bethany has learned though her time with the Foundation, from building her core strength by balancing on an opposite hand and knee, to building her confidence around large groups of people. Scoring under the sticks at the as part of the world’s first BETHANY Learning Disability Rugby League game was a dream come true. It’s seeing that incredible work up close for so many years that has prompted Bethany’s mum to apply to volunteer with us. It’s a cliché but she wants to give something back to the organisation that has given & MUM them so much. FROM CREATIVE DESIGNER TO FULFILLING MUM’S DREAM. Bethany was born prematurely in 2009 and at 9 months old was diagnosed with Kabuki Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder. She also has associated learning difficulties, hearing loss, developmental delay, hypertonia, speech delay and sensory needs.

Bethany joined us at 5 years old through a friend who attended. She now is involved in Wolf Print Dance, Wolf Print Art and the newly formed Learning Disability Rugby League. Each school holidays she also attends the Total:Sport and Wolf Print Dance holiday camps. Over the years, the Wolves Foundation has meant so much more to her family than just a dance class, or a sports session. As well as being her physiotherapy and occupational therapy wrapped up in fun, the clubs offer Bethany that vital opportunity of making and spending time with friends in a safe and supported environment. A place where she can feel confi- dent that she is supported, cared for and engaged in fun every time her family I love Olly, Craig and Liam. They are drop her off. all the best, but Kat’s the best dancer Bethany talking about the staff at the Foundation. Without the Foundation, where would “ Bethany have those experiences? ” Learn those skills? Make those friends? Over 30 young people have achieved “ their Arts Awards through Wolf Print. ” The Warrington Wolves Charitable Foundation Annual Review 2018-19

Being part of Offload is something “so powerful I can’t describe; I have Mike heard about Offload when struggling with low mood from been able to working permanent nights that were affecting his health. open up and meet some incredible From the first time he walked in to the main reception at the stadium he started to make a change. Offload supports and improves mental team mates fitness over a 10-week programme. The friendships made and the stories shared help transform lives.

From attending Offload he started volunteering as a Game Changer ” and it gave him a sense of purpose. Then a freak motorway accident saw him thrown from his vehicle and he suffered multiple injuries and brain damage. After time in intensive care he was told he would not be able return to work.

Again, the Foundation provided an outlet where he plays Physical Disability Rugby League. Making new friends has supported his recovery and confidence. His family have been Warrington season ticket holders and now his son Rowan, who had been diagnosed with autism and struggles to socially interact and fit in, now plays for the Learning Disability team. Playing as part of a team has given him a MIKE & ROWAN sense of belonging and he has joined his Dad as part of the Wolves. TACKLING LIFE WITH THE FOUNDATION 93% of men attending Offload say they have felt an improvement in their mood and mental fitness. The Warrington Wolves Charitable Foundation Annual Review 2018-19 GAME PLAN ACHIEVING THE GOAL

We are always looking for further improvement. Whether it be external or internal we value the support of other agencies to help us achieve our goals.

The impact we have on our community has become central to our improvement. By working with Substance we have developed a framework that will drive, monitor and evaluate our new strategy.

We will continue to develop our relationship with the Rugby Club where we want to engage with new and old fans, through raising awareness of our work. Both commercial and media resources working together more effectively will assist in building future supporters.

People are core to our delivery and by listening to our volunteers and stakeholders we are able to provide for the needs of the community. This season we will look for a Volunteer Manager to support the ever increasing opportunities to get involved in our work. The process has started with new Trustees joining the Board with volunteering at the heart of their focus.

We will continue to develop our workforce, people are the most important tool for effecting change. We will develop a passionate and committed workforce that will inspire future generations, using former participants and volunteers as positive examples of our impact in the community.

Neil Kelly Foundation Director The Warrington Wolves Charitable Foundation

Annual Review 2018-19 NANCIALS THANK YOU TO ALL OUR BUSINESS PATRONS WITHOUT YOU... £519.7k Income & Endowments CELEBRATING YEARS CELEBRATING 50 WE5 0COULDYEARS ONLY DREAM

Celebrating 50 £520.1k Years Expenditure

Celebrating

Celebrating 50YEARS

50YEARS BRAT E IN L

E G C

CENTRAL SELF DRIVE - 50th ANNIVERSAY LOGO Donations and legacies - £54.6k 05 December 2017 09:16:42 Charitable Activities - £270.4k Other - £194.6k

Celebrating 50 Raising Funds - £50.8k YEARS Charitable Activities - £469.3k

Charitable Spending Ratio 90% 10% Charitable Income Spending generation ANNUAL REVIEW 2018 - 2019

The Halliwell Jones Stadium, Way, Warrington. WA2 7NE

Website: www.wolvesfoundation.com email: [email protected] twitter: @WWCSLFoundation

Registered Charity No: 1110734