Lewisham Gateway sponsors rugby legend to deliver impactful programme at local school

England captain and Rugby World Cup winner, Jason Robinson OBE, has delivered a 12-week sports programme for pupils at a local school in Lewisham as part of the social impact being generated by our Lewisham Gateway neighbourhood.

Lewisham Gateway, which we’re creating in partnership with Lewisham Council, Transport for London, the Greater London Authority and Balfour Beatty, has so far created over £105m in social and economic value within the local area – including new jobs, and educational opportunities.

As part of the significant social value being created by the project, Lewisham Gateway’s sponsorship of JR Sport Stars saw the charity deliver their renowned sessions in Lewisham for the first time. The charity was created by Jason Robinson in 2018 with the aim of get children moving, help them grow in confidence, and teach valuable moral, social, and life skills that can be carried forward into their futures.

Over the course of 12 weeks all 360 children from Downderry Primary School benefitted from sports coaching sessions, which left a lasting impact not only on the pupils, but the staff as well, inspired by the rugby champ and motivated to ‘be the best they can be’.

To continue the legacy of the incredible experience at the school, the Lewisham Gateway project team gifted 30 sets of sporting equipment for rugby, cricket, netball, and hockey. This donation will help ensure students at Downderry Primary can stay active and involved in sports for years to come.

It also saw pupils learn more about the transformational project in their borough, with Phase 1 completed in 2018 and Phase 2 set to complete in 2023.

Located adjacent to Lewisham Station, it will deliver over 1,000 new homes, space for new shops, cafes, and restaurants, as well as 10,000 sq ft of offices, a gym, cinema, and new public squares.

On completion, the  new neighbourhood will drive long-term economic growth and provide new opportunities for the local community in Lewisham and beyond.

Robert Allan, Development Director at Muse, said:

Check out the 12-week programme and the impact of the Lewisham Gateway Project in the campaign video below!