Les Cusworth - England 12 Caps

Fly half for Leicester and England, Les played in the Tigers three-time Premiership cup winning side. He went on to coach the England Sevens team to World Cup victory in 1993. He became Director of Rugby at Worcester RFC and then at the Argentina Rugby Union. He continues to live in Buenos Aires and champions Atlas’s All Schools programme in Argentina.

Latest

Norm's 100K Race to the Kings Ultra for Atlas

2 years ago Pete aka Norm did the seemingly insane for a 52 year old with a dodgy back and even dodgier hip. He took on the challenge to run 100 kilometers in one go. He is doing it again. Atlas raises money for so many deserving people in all parts of the deprived world I feel it is important to remember that the economic crisis is hitting even the poorest in the world, giving them a doubling down of hardships. I hope you can donate generously and help provide some care.
Bora's Tour of Cambridgeshire for ATLAS foundation

I’m fundraising for for the ATLAS Foundation as I believe no children in the world should suffer and they should receive equal opportunities.
Kooples do Tough Mudder

In memory of Ed who we all loved and in support for the great work being done by TRD!
Two Oceans UltraMarathon

Ben Nicholson, Trustee of Atlas and Founder of the Anita, Annabel, and Alex Nicholson Memorial Fund, is accompanied by 4 runners taking on the Cape Town challenge

Jason Leonard OBE - England 114 Caps

England Rugby’s most-capped player, with 114 caps for England, a further 5 for the British & Irish Lions, and in 2003 a Rugby World Cup win in Australia. He was awarded the OBE in 2004 for services to sport, and in 2015 was the RFU President. He founded the Atlas Foundation in 2015 and remains its Chairman.
Maro Itoje - Current England Player

Maro is an established international for England and the British & Irish Lions. Beyond the game Maro has a degree in politics and is interested in international development, gender equality and human rights. His family is Nigerian and he brings a focus to the Board to improve the reach and impact of Atlas’s work with children across Africa.
Gavin Hastings OBE - Scotland 61 Caps

Andrew Gavin Hastings, OBE is a Scottish former rugby union player. A fullback, he is widely regarded to be one of the best ever Scottish rugby players and was one of the outstanding players of his generation, winning 61 caps for Scotland, 20 of which as captain.
Simon Shaw - 71 Caps

Simon joined the Atlas team in 2018 with a particular focus on Atlas France. He has 71 Caps for England and 2 for the British and Irish Lions. He was the first player to reach 200 appearances in the premiership and the first lock to ever kick a successful drop goal! He joined the Trek in 2019 and raised money for the children in India. Click through to see his story.
Alycia Washington - Current USA Player
Mako Vunipola - Current England Player

Mako Vunipola, Loosehead Prop for Saracens, England and the British and Irish Lions. He is working with Atlas to establish work in Tonga which will allow younger players there to succeed in their own country.
Sir Graham Henry

Sir Graham Henry KNZM is a world-renowned rugby union coach who reformed the Welsh national team taking them to huge success; and leading them to hark to one of their famous hymns in calling him ‘The Great Redeemer’. Sir Graham went onto coach his own national team, the All Blacks, where he became one of the most successful rugby coaches of all time, leading his team to a series victory over the British and Irish Lions in 2005, five Tri Nations titles, and winning the Rugby World Cup in 2011.
Joe Marler - Current England Player

Joe has had an incredibly successful with 58 caps for England and 2 for the British and Irish Lions.
Shane Byrne - Ireland 41 Caps

Shane is a former hooker for Ireland and also won four caps with the Lions on the New Zealand tour of 2005. Shane is much loved and remembered for his fearsome mullet haircut. He is now a successful businessman, commentator and burgeoning media celebrity. In 2020 he became Chairman of Atlas Ireland.
Humphrey Kayange - Kenya 49 Caps

Humphrey is a Kenyan rugby union player who captained their famous Sevens side during a period of national success. He is also an organic chemist and an Atlas Rugby Champion helping as a role model with boys and girls across Kenya and Africa.

Top 10 Benefits of Rugby

An opinion piece from a Health and Fitness Journal, rather than an empirical study, but a valid list of benefits nonetheless.
Jungle Crows - Khelo Rugby

The Atlas Foundation supports The Jungle Crows with the Khelo Rugby project in 35 locations in Kolkata and North Bengal, benefiting nearly 2000 children each week.
What We Do
Anita, Alex & Annabel Nicholson Memorial Fund

Set up by Ben Nicholson in memory of his wife Anita and their two children Alex and Annabel who tragically lost their lives in the Sri Lanka bombings on Easter Sunday 2019.
Front Row Club Closure
England Deaf Rugby Union

EDRU was set up by a group of deaf sports enthusiasts with the purpose of promoting the playing of rugby union by deaf and hard of hearing players.
Ben Nicholson interview Easter Sunday 2020

Read the moving interview with Ben Nicholson in the Sunday Times. “Sri Lanka’s Easter Bombings: one year on from the terror that killed my wife and children.”
History

Don't need summary
Ed Cooper Memorial Fund

Ed was a big personality who lived life to the full, was loved dearly by his family and friends, and is missed hugely by all who knew him. He was a talented sportsman who enjoyed playing both codes of rugby and cricket. Following Ed’s death in 2016, this Memorial Fund was established to honour his memory.
Atlas South Africa

Atlas South Africa was founded in 2018 after a successful Atlas Trek to Botswana and Zimbabwe attended by South African Rugby Champions. Since then two successful rides in the Cape Town Cycling Tour as well as six thriving projects have made a fantastic start for Atlas South Africa.