Soaked In Smiles: A Mintridge & Johnny Reynolds Foundation Rugby Day with Poppy Cleall & Charlotte at Oundle Rugby Club

Soaked In Smiles: A Mintridge & Johnny Reynolds Foundation Rugby Day with Poppy Cleall & Charlotte at Oundle Rugby Club

“Give Rugby A Go” — Rain, Rucks & Resilience at Oundle Rugby Club!

Powered by the Johnny Reynolds Foundation & delivered by the Mintridge Foundation

The rain might have poured, but so did the passion at Oundle Rugby Club on Sunday 20th July 2025 as we proudly hosted a brilliant “Give Rugby A Go” day with the incredible Poppy Cleall (Saracens & England Rugby) and Charlotte Fray (Sale Sharks), thanks to the generous support of the Johnny Reynolds Foundation.

From waterlogged pitches to wide smiles, the event was a wonderful reminder that when it comes to sport, a little bit of weather doesn’t stand in the way of fun, friendship, and inspiration.

The day kicked off with a fantastic coaching session: the first for Oundle’s junior players, who got stuck in (and thoroughly soaked!) learning new skills, building confidence, and soaking up advice from two of the country’s top players. Having your first coaching session with a Red Roses legend (and 2021 Six Nations Player of the Championship no less is quite the way to kickstart a love for the game – especially when the session included a rugby esq assault course! All the girls received medals and autographs with the players (and a much needed photo keepsake too) as we hope to motivate them to join the club and play in the future!

Between the sessions, we were very grateful for the chance to dry off indoors during a powerful and honest presentation from Poppy and Charlotte, who shared their personal sporting journeys — from grassroots beginnings to elite-level rugby. Their stories of resilience, setbacks, sisterhood, super strengths and even spaghetti bolognaise (!!) captivated everyone in the room, leaving a lasting impact on both players and supporters.

What do you eat on a game day?

The second session welcomed the Oundle women’s team for an equally energetic and engaging training opportunity, filled with plenty of laughter, teamwork and determination — proving just how empowering rugby can be, whatever your age or ability. It was great to see tries scored by those that were joining for the first time!

We rounded off the day in true British style with a BBQ in the rain, giving everyone a chance to refuel, reflect, and continue the conversations started on the pitch.

If you couldn’t join us on the day, but you are interested in giving rugby a go, please head to the Oundle Rugby Club website to find out more.

We’re so thankful to the Johnny Reynolds Foundation for their unwavering support — their funding and Johnny’s incredible legay allows us to continue delivering opportunities like these, where rain-soaked socks are worn with pride and muddy boots become a badge of honour. The Johnny Reynolds Foundation is a registered charity that aspires to give local children and young adults the opportunity to realise their dreams and ambitions in their desired sporting fields. The Mintridge Foundation and the Johnny Reynolds Foundation are delighted to be collaborating together to enhance the sporting opportunities available to children and young adults in Northamptonshire and immediate surrounding counties – this programme was the first of many. At the heart of both organisations is the aim to offer opportunities and the chance to realise the dreams and ambitions of young people in their desired sporting fields. It is a wonderful synergy of two like-minded charities and we can’t wait for lots more together!

Thank you to Oundle Rugby Club for being fantastic hosts (particularly Joe Sagoe and Toby Horrigan), and to every participant who brought their energy and enthusiasm despite the downpours.

Every try begins with giving it a go — and yesterday, we well and truly did that!

Now…how many sleeps until England take on the USA in the World Cup Opener? Let’s go Red Roses!

 About Us:

The Mintridge Foundation is a UK-wide charity dedicated to turbo-boosting young people's development and opportunities through the transformative power of sports. Our innovative programs and collaborations inspire, mentor, and guide the next generation to thrive.

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