This year marks something incredibly special for Embrace – 20 wonderful years of partnership with England Rugby. For two decades now, the England Rugby team have been making it possible for our families to share in the thrill of live sport events, with tickets to some unforgettable experiences at Twickenham Stadium!
Every year, they donate a selection of tickets that allow the children, young people and families we support to attend their live international matches. These experiences are wonderful days out, and they mean so much more than that as well – they are a chance to be part of something on a big scale, to share cheers and laughter, to soak up the atmosphere and roar of the crowd, to create lasting memories – another magical way to embrace life their way.
A Legacy of Generosity
England Rugby has a long and proud history, going right back to 1871 when the Rugby Football Union was first formed. Twickenham itself, known to many as the “home of rugby”, opened its doors in 1909 and has since become one of the most iconic sporting stadiums in the world. Beyond the pitch, England Rugby have also got a long-standing commitment to community and inclusion.
Through initiatives and partnerships like ours, they show that the values at the heart of the sport - respect, teamwork, enjoyment, discipline, and sportsmanship - extend far beyond the game itself, and we’re delighted that for 20 years, their partnership with Embrace has helped us bring those same values to life for our families.
Days to Remember
Tickets for a number of matches across the year are allocated via a ballot, and with the good news and dates confirmed, our families head down to Twickenham, often for their very first live sporting experience.
The generosity of England Rugby means that they can enjoy a top-class international match in a safe, welcoming, and accessible environment - something really special for the young people and parents who may face daily challenges that most of us don’t need to think twice about. And sometimes, there’s even a chance to meet some rugby royalty – one of our young people bagged a selfie this year with Jonny Wilkinson and Brian O’Driscoll!
And we can always see, by the laughter and big smiles, that those days bring so much joy. One parent shared their delight after attending a match this year:
“We had such an amazing time. The staff were extremely accommodating getting us through the crowds swiftly and supporting us with access to all amenities. The atmosphere was brilliant - it was such a memorable day.”
Another family said:
“We had a lovely time and Annabelle enjoyed all the action, lights and sounds. It was quite sheltered and warm up in the stand (rather than on the touchline), which was great. It was also really helpful to buddy up with Mick and Ruby. All of the event staff we met were really helpful and friendly!”
And perhaps the final word goes to Ruby’s family, whose enthusiasm captures everything this partnership means:
“Ruby loves the opportunity to go to the rugby - she was even lucky enough to go twice this year, once seeing a huge win against Wales and another seeing a huge loss against Ireland. But she was happy regardless (even if her mum wasn’t)! She loved every second and couldn’t stop giggling when I was pushing her through the crowds at the end.”
A Huge Thank-You
Twenty years is a milestone that’s really worth celebrating, and we couldn’t be more thankful to England Rugby. Their generosity has given our families experiences they’ll remember forever.
Partnerships like this demonstrate what community really means, and how important it is to our work at Embrace: coming together, lifting each other up, making shared experiences accessible to everyone, and celebrating life and how we live it in all its wonderful forms.
From all of us at Embrace: thank you, England Rugby, for two decades of teamwork, kindness and joy. Here’s to many more games, more cheers, and more smiles at Twickenham!
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