Almost exactly 12 months after it was formally launched at the Liberty Stadium by Julie James AM, Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology, Ospreys in the Community has been granted charitable status
- Charity commission grants OitC charitable status almost exactly a year since the foundation was launched at the Liberty Stadium
- OitC is a not for profit Foundation that operates on an entirely independent basis to the professional rugby organisation
- The aim of OitC is to utilise the power of the Ospreys brand, and players, in a positive fashion, to harness social good and make an impact in communities.
- OitC engaged with 17,000 people in its first year
The news comes as a welcome boost for the not-for-profit foundation, which has already established key relationships with a number of well-known organisations, local, national and international, including Sony UK Technology Centre, Thomson, Aspire2Be and CK Foodstores.
Although OitC shares a strong relationship with the Ospreys, and forms a key part of the region’s long-term business strategy, it operates on an entirely independent basis to the professional rugby organisation.
Working in conjunction with commercial partners, public sector bodies and third sector agencies to generate financial support and resources, the aim of Ospreys in the Community is to create a vibrant and sustainable Foundation that utilises the undoubted power of the Ospreys brand, and players, in a positive fashion, to harness social good and make an impact in communities.
Charitable status will not only allow OitC to access increased funding opportunities, it will also provide greater opportunities to make a significant difference in the community, as Paul Whapham, Foundation Manager, outlined:
“Charitable status means public recognition of who you are and trust in what you do for social good. This can assist us by allowing us to fundraise, partner with commercial organisations and to apply for a large number of grant funding opportunities that otherwise wouldn’t be available to us. These income generating opportunities will enable us to deliver more community projects.
“This recognition also gives us increased credibility. The governance that surrounds a registered charity enables us to approach businesses to allow them to deliver their CSR strategy in partnership with our charitable aims, safe in the knowledge that our primary aim is to pursue charitable objectives for the betterment of the local community.”
OitC has already created a wide range of strategic partnerships enabling the creation and activation of innovative programmes that will be contained within four Strategic Themes; Education, Health, Sport, and Inclusion. These partnerships saw OitC engage with 17,000 people in its first year.
The Board of Trustees of Ospreys in the Community is made up of Andrew Davies, Chairman ABMU Health Board, Karl Napieralla, former Head of Local Government Intervention at Welsh Assembly Government, Roger Blyth Chairman of Osprey Rugby, Chris Richards Vice Chairman of Ospreys Rugby and Raymond Cibrowski, COO, Swansea University. Further expertise will be added to the board as Ospreys in the Community grows.