Switch the Play joins 'The Big Give Christmas Challenge': Double your impact this festive season!
Posted on: 02 December 2025 by Switch the Play
As we enter the festive season, we are thrilled to announce that Switch the Play Foundation is participating in The Big Give Christmas Challenge 2025 - the UK’s largest match-funding campaign! This year, we’re calling on our supporters to help us fund life-changing initiatives alongside Champions 2003 for former athletes, providing tailored coaching, mental wellbeing support and career pathway guidance to support their transition out of professional sport.
About The Big Give Christmas Challenge
Running from midday on Tuesday, 2nd December, until midday on Tuesday, 9th December, The Big Give Christmas Challenge offers a unique opportunity to make your donations go further. Thanks to generous match-funding champions, Reed Educational Trust, every pound you donate will be doubled until we hit our fundraising target of £85,000.
What we do - championing players beyond the game
A rugby career can end in an instant, and for many, that’s when the real challenges begin. 70% of players don’t finish on their own terms and over half face financial or wellbeing struggles within five years of retiring.
Our transition support programmes help players:
- Rediscover purpose and identity
- Build new careers and skills
- Protect their mental and physical wellbeing
In partnership with Switch the Play Foundation - together, building brighter futures for life after sport
To make the biggest difference, the Champions 2003 team have joined forces with Switch the Play Foundation, the UK’s only charity dedicated to helping all sportspeople transition into life beyond sport.
Together, we’re already delivering life-changing initiatives for former athletes, including Evolve and Thrive, an 11-month transition and mentoring programme, and 'Switched On', which provides tailored coaching, mental wellbeing support, and career pathway guidance.
But there’s so much more work to be done.
Why your support matters - help us create lasting change for rugby’s next generation
Every player deserves a future filled with purpose and possibility when they reach the end of their career. Every donation helps extend our support to more players preparing for their next chapter by funding mentoring, coaching and mental health support to help players prepare for life beyond rugby.
Donate today to help us keep the spirit of 2003 alive by supporting those who gave their all to the game we love.
How you can get involved
Starting at midday on Tuesday, 3rd December, you can visit our Big Give Fundraising Page to make your donation and watch your gift grow! We’d also love your support in sharing this campaign with your family, friends and colleagues to help us reach as many people as possible, using the hashtag #STPBigGive.
Ready to make a difference?
Visit our Big Give Fundraising Page to learn more and donate. Thank you for supporting our mission!