Northampton Saints’ Community team are proud to announce the renewal of their partnership with Maddy’s Mark, following a hugely impactful year delivering rugby and wellbeing sessions to girls across the region.
Maddy’s Mark is a charity created in memory of Maddy Lawrence, a university rugby player whose life was tragically cut short in 2022. The charity works to champion the values Maddy embodied – positivity, kindness, resilience and the joy of playing rugby – by funding programmes that empower girls and young women to thrive both on and off the pitch.
Last season, the Maddy’s Mark programme delivered by Saints Community and Northampton Saints Foundation reached 158 girls across five schools, delivering 53 hours of sessions that combined rugby skills with confidence‑building, resilience, teamwork, body positivity, leadership and positive mental health habits. The programme supports girls aged 9 to 13, many of whom were experiencing rugby for the very first time.
Every participating school reported an increase in wellbeing among the girls involved, with several schools attending a festival where all players took part in their first ever rugby matches – a milestone moment that captured the spirit of Maddy’s legacy.
The renewal of the partnership also sees the continuation of the collaboration with Northampton Saints Foundation, who bring their expertise and experience to deliver the mental health side of the programme.
Women and Girls Rugby Development Officer Tabitha Banks said the renewed funding will allow Saints to build on a powerful foundation.
“The impact of the Maddy’s Mark programme has been incredible,” she said. “We’ve seen girls grow in confidence, try rugby for the first time, and develop skills that will support them far beyond the pitch. To have the partnership renewed means we can reach even more young people, and continue delivering the kind of positive, empowering experiences that Maddy herself would have championed.”
With funding confirmed for this season, Saints will now look to expand delivery across the wider region, ensuring more schools can access the programme. A key focus for next year will be strengthening links with local rugby clubs, giving girls a clear pathway to continue playing once their school sessions end.
For more information about getting involved, please email tabithabanks@northamptonsaints.co.uk