Wooden Spoon has always charity is to help disadvantage and collected and gets the job done. but at the end of the day it is also
“
put the fun into fundraising - disabled children. I always get a bit Jonny Wilkinson kicking the very rewarding for themselves and for
it is about being with good wound up when people say it is a winning drop goal remains the lasting the charity.”
friends and enjoying yourself whilst rugby charity; yes the idea was image of the 2003 World Cup; Since retiring from rugby in May
raising money. That is very much a spawned out of rugby and is heavily however that picture may never have 2004, Jason has kept extremely busy.
rugby trait as well - players knock ten supported by the rugby community happened if Jason Leonard had not Apart from his Spoon duties, Jason
bells out of each other on the field but the bottom line it is a charity is to stepped in at a crucial moment. works very hard in construction and
and then they go into the bar and help disadvantage and disabled On that day many believed that being on the board of the RFU, as
have a drink and a laugh together." children." England's front row were dominant well as being part of the Professional
Having gained so much from One of the projects that has got over their Australian counterpart. Game Board who monitor the day-
playing a sport he loves, Jason feels Jason very excited is the Spoon Rugby Referee Andre Watson saw things to-day running of the elite game. His
he has a responsibility to help those Community programme. differently and continued to penalise ties to rugby remain as strong as ever
less fortunate and takes his role as This is a series of charitable projects England which let Australia draw level however that does not mean he will
Lead Ambassador for Wooden Spoon that use rugby as the catalyst to give on the scoreboard after eighty be running out for Wooden Spoon
very seriously indeed. socially disadvantaged children minutes. vets any time soon.
"I really think it is important to around the UK a better chance in life. A frustrated Jason Leonard “I am very lucky to still be involved
always put something back," added Rugby promotes respect, teamwork watching from the bench knew in rugby and Spoon – but that does
Jason. "Sport always seems to be a and self-discipline as well as an active exactly what needed to be done and not mean I have to don the boots,”
big believer in that, but I think rugby lifestyle - skills that can have a positive when he finally got the call to go on laughed Jason.
takes that a step further and really influence on a child's life. in extra time he immediately settled “I have been in a couple of games
gets involved in worthy causes. It is a brave and bold step taking on things down. A quiet word with over the years but I don't make a
Putting something back is what children who have no respect for Watson and perhaps a sterner one or habit of it, I will leave that to the fit
Jason will be encouraging his authority and who are in grave two to the rest of the pack saw lads out there, if they want to play
ambassadors to do as he heads up danger of falling into a life of crime England handle the scrum totally then good luck to them. I will
the Spoon Ambassador Programme. and drug and alcohol dependency. differently. They did not give away certainly be on the sidelines cheering
This has been established with the However by combining forces with another penalty after Jason came on them on.”
aim of recruiting 25 people from the the local rugby community the and the rest is history. Rugby may have made Jason
rugby world, 25 champions of potential of rehabilitating these It is that sort out understanding and Leonard a household name, and
industry and 25 public figures who children - many who have already out of the box thinking that will be despite the lessons he has learnt from
will help Spoon celebrate its quarter been labeled lost causes - is crucial as companies and individuals the game, it does not define who he
century milestone. staggering. tighten their belts in the face of the is or what he is all about. His passion
Spoon has built good, long-term “I have been a long supporter of economic crisis hitting the country. for rugby is unquestionable but he is
relationship with the all the celebrities Spoon," added Jason. "But it is the Event-raised income might suffer but well aware of the bigger picture.
that support the charity, in particular charity's new approach to working Jason is confident that Spoon can “Physically and emotionally your
those from the rugby world who with young people that really excites continue to grow and attract more time on the rugby pitch can be very
often lend their time at fundraising me and that's why I want to get members. hard and demanding, however it is
events, and is extremely grateful for more involved.” "In the forefront of everybody’s just a game,” explains Jason.
their support. However, Spoon is Jason’s experience is not just on the mind is the responsibility we have as “When you lose you are upset, but
conscious of not exhausting this rugby field and as a director for a a Charity,” explained Jason. there are a lot of people out there
tremendous goodwill. major construction company as well "At this moment in time financially dealing with very serious problems.
Spoon has asked celebrities to donate being on the board of the RFU he has it is a rather grim out there. There are You can accept that and try to make
two pledges to the Charity. The a strong understanding on dealing a lot of very good and worthwhile a difference and give something
pledges are open to the with people and team building. charities out there and we are all back.
Ambassador’s discretion and can be "A very important side of Wooden competing against each other, that is “What I would say is that rugby is
anything from a personal Spoon is the great work all our tough because no one charity is very special as a sport - not only the
appearance, a signed piece of volunteers do. Rightly so we are better than the other and each has people who play it, but the people
memorabilia, tickets to an event or proud of our all those who give up great merits and noble causes. who support it too.
show or even some expert their time for nothing and all the "Wooden Spoon is just one of “The rugby fraternity is very much a
commercial advice. people who do these challenges to them. It looks after its members family and they do help each other. If
The range of celebrities who have raise money for Wooden Spoon. We though and the potential members of one of the family is struggling then
already offered their support is vast – are just as proud of their the charity who come along to the the rugby community comes to their
and includes pledges from Samantha achievements as we would be of a functions soon realise the fun aspect aid - that pretty much sums up
Cameron, wife of Conservative charity event in the West End of of the charity - it is very hard work Wooden Spoon.”
Leader, David, Wales’ Grand Slam London.
heroes, Ryan Jones and Shane “I want to make sure that I get
Williams, Matt Dawson, Sir Keith Mills involved in that aspect too - don't ask
and about half the England rugby me to run a marathon, but I think
squad! giving them the support they need is
"My role as such is looking at the crucial. I tend to think of rugby as a
ambassadors and how we use them family, and I think Wooden Spoon is
to benefit the charity,” explained the same. I am justifiably proud of
Jason. both of them."
“We really want to maximise their In times of uncertainty who better
input - it is great to have them as to have on your side than Jason
figureheads, but I want to make sure Leonard. He is a fixer and a trouble-
we use them properly. Say as a focal shooter, a man who can assess any
point for the media on various charity situation and react accordingly. While
projects. those around him may be losing their
"The nature of Wooden Spoon as a heads, Jason remains calm and
Spoonews Winter 2009 31
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