Switch the Play raises £85,000 through 'The Big Give' to support athletes preparing for successful futures after sport

Posted on: 12 December 2025 by Switch the Play

We are delighted to share that this year’s Big Give Christmas Challenge was an incredible success! Together, we raised over £85,000, which will support countless former rugby players as they transition out of their professional sports careers and into exciting new lives beyond sport.

Empowering athletes through our transition programmes

This year, Switch the Play Foundation partnered with Champions 2003 to raise essential funds for initiatives that provide tailored coaching, mental wellbeing support and career pathway guidance for former rugby players. These programmes will help athletes navigate the often difficult transition out of professional sport, ensuring they have the tools, confidence and support network they need to start their next chapter.

A rugby career can end in an instant, and for many, that’s when the real challenges begin. With 70% of players not finishing on their own terms, and over half experiencing financial or wellbeing struggles within five years of retiring, the need for dedicated transition support has never been greater.

Thanks to the success of this campaign, we can continue to deliver and expand our vital programmes, including Evolve and Thrive, our 11-month transition and mentoring programme and ‘Switched On’ which provides personalised coaching, mental wellbeing support and career pathway guidance.

Why your support matters

Every pound raised will directly fund mentoring, coaching, and wellbeing support for players preparing for life beyond rugby. Your contribution ensures that more athletes can access the help they need to build fulfilling futures when their sporting careers come to an end.

We are so grateful to everyone who supported this year’s campaign, including our match-funding champions, Reed Educational Trust, whose generosity helped double donations and maximise impact.

Because of you, the spirit of 2003 lives on - not just in memories of triumph, but in the meaningful support we can now offer to those who gave so much to the game we love.

What’s next?

Looking ahead, we’re excited to continue building on this momentum. Early in 2026, we will be launching a new Evolve and Thrive rugby programme specifically designed for players recently retired from the sport. Alongside this, we have several other projects in development in partnership with Champions 2003 that will further strengthen the pathways available to players navigating life beyond the game.

Thank you for making a difference and helping us transform what’s possible for players preparing for life after sport.