Jason Robinson’s Inspiring Journey and his Foundations Mission to Empower Youth Through Sports

Susannah Townsend, MBE, OLY, an athlete and sports advocate, is conducting a series of interviews for Omnia Media with prominent figures in the world of sport to highlight their stories and contributions. Her first interview features Jason Robinson, OBE, a celebrated dual-code rugby international and former England captain and Chrissy Carswell (CC) from CC7 Management, known for her work in event management, fundraising, hospitality, and CSR strategy.

In a recent Omnia Media podcast with host Susannah, Jason, shared his journey from a challenging childhood to becoming a prominent advocate for youth empowerment through sports. The Jason Robinson Foundation was born from his personal struggles and triumphs and is aimed to provide young people across diverse communities with transformative opportunities in sports. With a focus on inclusivity, the foundation seeks to break down barriers and offer resources that inspire resilience and foster growth. Jason says “I just feel, every child should have the opportunity to fulfil their potential” and “We are keeping kids off the streets after school and the impact of that alone is massive on the community”.

The podcast opens with a discussion on the potential of sports to inspire meaningful change, not only for elite athletes but for people from all backgrounds. The Jason Robinson Foundation embodies this mission by addressing societal challenges young people face. By creating a supportive environment, the foundation gives young people the tools and encouragement they need to overcome obstacles, find a sense of purpose and reach their full potential.

Jason’s path to sports was shaped by a challenging home life and academic struggles. Growing up without a father, in a home where his mother worked tirelessly, he experienced firsthand the effects of adversity. Jason also addresses his brother’s struggles with addiction and how it added another layer of difficulty to his upbringing, shaping his determination to give back to children facing similar hardships. Through his Foundation, Jason is dedicating his passion and resources to building programmes that offer a sense of community and stability through sports, helping young people find direction and belonging.

Jason discovered rugby aged ten, marking a turning point in his life. Introduced to the sport by a supportive PE teacher, rugby quickly became a source of confidence and self-worth. Though inexperienced and small in stature, Jason’s passion for the sport led him to sign a professional contract at 16, setting him on a path to a successful sports career. His Foundation now aims to provide similar encouragement to young people, offering the mentorship and resources that allow them to see sports as a gateway to personal growth and a positive future.

A significant part of Jason’s message is the importance of role models for children, particularly those from challenging backgrounds. Jason says “Especially male role models, I can’t tell you the power of it and I know the power of it because I waited 36 years to hear my dad say I’m proud of you, I only met him when I was 36”. Reflecting on his own experiences, Jason underscores the value of consistent, positive influences in the lives of young people, especially in communities where these figures are often scarce. He highlights the need for diversity in sports leadership, advocating for leaders who understand and reflect the experiences of the communities they serve. Discussing his own experience as a young person paving the way in sport, Jason says: “When I first started at 18-19, it seemed like every game we were just getting racially abused, and when I say racially abused, I mean by 6-7000 people in the stadium”. Following on from this, Jason says: “I think a diverse board of governing bodies makes a massive difference.”

In addition to mentorship, the Jason Robinson Foundation focuses on ensuring equal access to sports resources for children from disadvantaged communities. Jason discusses the significant contribution his foundation has had since it was founded in 2022: “We have given away £100,000’s worth of kids clothing we have made a massive impact on the area and on the kids themselves”. He emphasises that many schools lack the quality facilities needed to nurture young talent and that children often play on substandard surfaces, which can hinder their potential. Through his foundation, Jason is working to establish a bursary fund to support talented young athletes, ensuring that every child has the chance to excel regardless of their background. Jason says: “I think it’s really important that in order to make change, we have to have that diversity or that understanding to make a difference.”

One of the foundation’s standout initiatives is its multi-sport programme, designed to introduce young people to a variety of athletic pursuits. Jason believes it’s essential for children to explore different interests, as this can help them discover hidden talents. Sports like hockey and swimming, which might be unfamiliar to some children, are made accessible through the foundation’s programmes, allowing children to expand their horizons and potentially pursue new athletic pathways within their local communities.

The foundation’s work also provides crucial support to teachers, who often face challenges in delivering adequate physical education in under-resourced schools. By bringing in qualified coaches, the foundation helps ease the burden on teachers, allowing them to concentrate on academics while the children benefit from structured sports programmes. This approach has led to noticeable improvements in students’ attitudes, academic performance, and behaviour, underscoring the holistic benefits of the foundation’s efforts.

Chrissy Carswell emphasises the importance of sustainable and relatable support for young people, especially those in challenging environments. Chrissy says “It’s all the little aspects as well that make a hell of a difference to just coaching. And we have one of our coaches, a fantastic mentor to these children because they can talk to him. They can offload some of their troubles.” The camps and programmes, inspired and led by Jason, are crafted not to be one-off experiences but to provide long-term, consistent engagement. This approach ensures that children not only have access to activities like sports but also gain mentorship and practical resources, such as sports equipment and even meals, addressing both their immediate needs and emotional well-being.

In sharing his journey and the mission behind his foundation, Jason provides a powerful example of how sports can create lasting, positive change. Jason advises Be yourself that is good enough because we’re spending too much time trying to be something else or somebody else and you’ll never be content trying to be somebody else”. Through sustained support and a commitment to breaking down barriers, the foundation is helping children from all walks of life discover their potential, find joy, and build a strong sense of community. As Jason’s story and work demonstrate, sports can be a powerful tool for empowerment, resilience, and growth, bringing hope and opportunity to young people across diverse communities.

You can listen to the full podcast here: