The in-demand team behind an initiative that aims to turn around the fortunes of struggling children with sport has hailed a milestone moment for the project as it is granted charitable status.

Newark Rugby Community Foundation has been approved as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), giving it a stronger platform to develop its work across the district.

The foundation has grown out of an established schools programme which began eight years ago, when Richard Byrom started coaching in two schools in the area.

Since then, it has expanded to work with more than 30 primary and secondary schools across Newark and Sherwood as well as throughout Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire and Leicestershire.

Alan Staines, chairman of Newark Rugby Community Foundation, said the decision to establish a charity came as the programme continued to grow and schools began asking for different types of support.

"We've been running this programme for about eight years now, where we go into schools and coach, predominantly primary school, but we also coordinate the tournaments,” he said.

"Last year we decided that, because the size of the programme was just kept increasing, and some of the schools were asking for a different sort of support, we would form a charitable foundation."

The foundation's mission is to support communities through the power of sport, using rugby and its values to help young people develop confidence, resilience and a sense of belonging.

Its work is built around three pillars - Educate, Energise and Empower - with programmes covering physical activity, mentoring, leadership, qualifications and career development.

One of its key aims is to reach children who may be struggling in mainstream education, including those at risk of exclusion or experiencing difficulties at school.

The chairman added: "It's about using sport, predominantly rugby, but we will use other sports at times, to try to connect with kids that maybe are struggling in mainstream education.

"Using rugby values, teamwork, enjoyment, discipline and sport, we're trying to connect with kids that maybe aren't getting support from home."

Although the foundation's main focus is Newark and Sherwood, its schools programme has a wider reach, with secondary schools from across the three counties taking part in its tournaments.

It also hopes to encourage more young people to make the transition from playing rugby at school to becoming members of Newark Rugby Club.

Alan, who is also a director of the rugby club, said: "We believe that they can get so much more from Newark Rugby Club if they transition, come down to the rugby club and become a member.

"Everything that we're doing in schools is predominantly focused around getting engagement, building their love for the sport and then trying to transition them into playing rugby at Newark Rugby Club."

The foundation's programmes include Rugby Explorers for children aged three to five, its schools coaching programme, young leaders' qualifications and mentoring initiatives for primary and secondary school pupils.

It is also working in partnership with You Can Do Sport to offer a BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Sports Coaching and Development through the Newark Rugby Academy.

Other areas of work include helping young people access apprenticeships, work experience and career opportunities, as well as providing physical activity and wellbeing support in primary schools.

Alan said achieving charitable status was an important step, but added that the foundation was only at the beginning of its plans.

"We've put together a number of different programmes with our young leaders, we're working in partnership with You Can Do Sport to offer a BTEC extended diploma in rugby at the YMCA, so we've got a wide range of programmes,” he added.

"When it comes to the mentoring programmes, it's really focused on getting some funding so that we can work within local schools to help kids that are struggling in mainstream education."

The foundation is now looking to secure grant funding to help deliver additional programmes and expand the support available to local schools.

A launch event for the charity is planned for December, with a further celebration expected to take place in Newark in January, although details have yet to be finalised.