With their continued focus on impacting community in a positive and practical way this season, Ospreys Rugby are thrilled to announce the signing of a 12-month partnership deal with Acorn People, one of the UK’s leading recruitment specialists.
The partnership will help the Ospreys support academy and senior players and those transitioning out of rugby as they take the next step in their career. It will also offer career support, guidance and recruitment opportunities to vulnerable groups within the community.
As Wales’ recruiter of choice, Acorn People place thousands in new jobs each week across the UK and are only too proud to partner with the regional rugby franchise to offer more people access to workplace opportunities.
Acorn have already helped Ospreys and Ospreys in the Community find, recruit three new full-time members of staff, thanks to the government funded Kickstart scheme.
Following their 6-month initial programme and bringing an exciting breadth of expertise to the Osprey business; one of them now works developing a digital tech app, another as resident videographer and the third working full time in Osprey in the Community’s education and employability pillar, working with disengaged young people in secondary schools.
As the partners finalise more in-depth programmes in support of Ospreys’ ongoing veteran’s charitable trust, Acorn’s MD Bernard Ward explained, “Our primary reason for supporting the Ospreys partnership is simple, we have seen players go through significant mental health challenges, leading them down many different paths - some good, some not - Acorn wanted to offer them that positive path and support players moving forward, offering advice and most importantly options.”
The plan for the coming year means Acorn will work closely with Ospreys in the Community and their Community outreach programmes, helping to engage and support people within the area to maximise their potential, opening up all manner of opportunities for employment and training.
Ospreys’ Commercial Director Anthony Cole-Johnson added “It’s in our nature to be loyal and our psyche to nurture the communities we serve, so partnering with Acorn People means we can help not only our senior players with their next career move, but the people living in our communities, giving them the space, confidence, and opportunities, they might not otherwise easily access.”