Chiswick Rugby Club Receives Mental Health Award
Accolade comes as recent rapid upgrade of facilities continues
A video presentation by Andrew Lee was played at the awards ceremony in Covent Garden
October 13, 2025
Chiswick Rugby Club has been recognised for its recent transformation efforts with the top honour at the LooseHeadz Community Awards, held last Thursday night (9 October) in Covent Garden. The award, presented by the mental health charity LooseHeadz, acknowledges the club’s commitment to community engagement and wellbeing through sport.
Andrew Lee, Head of Facility and Sporting Development , accepted the award on behalf of the club, which has undergone significant redevelopment over the past two years since a management restructure. The club hosted an Open Day on Saturday 11 October to showcase its upgraded facilities and expanded sports offering with the official opening of new changing rooms.
Recent developments include the completion of a long-planned extension to the South Changing Rooms, improvements to the clubhouse and outdoor hospitality areas, and upgrades to the grass pitches. The club has also introduced a multi-sport programme encompassing Rugby Union, Rugby League, Aussie Rules, Lacrosse, youth football, laser tag, and padel tennis, the latter currently at the formal planning stage.
Membership has grown substantially, with a 40% increase in youth participation and the expansion of adult and female rugby teams. The club has also re-established links with Chiswick School, supporting the reintroduction of rugby into the curriculum after a 30-year absence.
LooseHeadz, the awarding charity, aims to place a mental health lead in every rugby club worldwide. It is supported by over 50 ambassadors from top-tier rugby organisations and was named an official charity partner of the British & Irish Lions Trust in 2024. Shaun Edwards, former Chiswick resident and current defence coach for the French Rugby Union team, is among its key contributors.
While the club’s expansion has been welcomed by many, some local residents have raised concerns about increased noise, light pollution, and traffic associated with the enhanced facilities. The club has acknowledged these concerns and says it continues to engage with the community as part of its development strategy.
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