THE SIR GARETH EDWARDS SCHOLARSHIP FUND The Millfield Mix is a powerful principle of diversity at Millfield, ensuring that children can access the unimaginable opportunities and world-class education at Millfield regardless of their financial means. Every child matters, and we are passionate in our goal to identify the potential in each individual and do what we can to make sure they succeed. The Sir Gareth Edwards Scholarship will provide a life changing education at Millfield for new young rugby talent every year, enabling young athletes to discover their full potential. To guarantee a high impact, sustainable fund, we must raise at least 1.2million, asking investors to help us fulfil the remaining 560,000 of our 1.2million target. When I was a teenager, I never thought for a moment what the future held for me. My scholarship at Millfield brought me opportunities which transformed my life, no doubt about it. Sir Gareth Edwards CBE (1964-1966; Millfield) We are fundraising to establish a special rugby award, which will last for many generations to come.
MILLFIELD A scholarship in the name of Sir Gareth will not only educate many deserving young people but will also help ensure a bright future for our school. Which has an unrivalled track record for developing the UK s best rugby talent. Our past success in rugby was demonstrated most recently by the five Old Millfieldians who played against each other in the 2018 Six Nations. This is only one of the reasons why Millfield has been named the best British independent school for sport for five years in succession. The success of a rugby team is widely considered a sign of a quality institution. This has driven many schools to make a substantial investment in their rugby programme to rank amongst world renowned names like Millfield. Consequently, due to Millfield s unique commitment to a broad range of sports, arts and academics we have lost some of the competitive edge in rugby which we once had. SIR GARETH EDWARDS CBE MILLFIELD; CLASS OF 1966 Gareth was at a technical school in Wales when his teacher realised that Gareth s talent was exceptional, and felt passionately that he should go to a school which could help him reach his full potential. He approached Millfield s founding Headmaster Boss Meyer, who agreed to campaign for a private sponsor for Gareth s place at Millfield. Boss secured anonymous funding which ultimately transpired to be Boss himself, and he distinguished this as a special award, not a scholarship. At the time Gareth was also being pursued by Swansea Football Club. Had he not attended Millfield, one of the greatest rugby players of his time may not have found his path to international rugby. Gareth s example on the pitch inspired the rest of us to greater heights than otherwise would have been the case and indeed not just on the pitch. The value of a talent in one s midst tends to raise the overall performance of the team especially if the individual concerned recognises the overall opportunity provided by the school in the first place which Gareth did in spades! Andrew Higginson OBE, MBE Shapwick and Captain Rugby 1965
AWARD RECIPIENTS This special award will be an honour to receive and much coveted amongst up-and-coming British rugby talent. The Sir Gareth Edward s Scholar will experience: A world class education, where a professional sporting career, a place at an Ivy league or Oxbridge college or a path to entrepreneurship are possible A rich learning community where aspiring to excellence in each domain; academic, co-curricular and sport, is the norm Training with and playing against the best rugby players and athletes in the country, plus access to elite training and opportunities in dozens of other sports A programme of education which accommodates elite athletes in their need for flexibility and focus 600-acre campus with university standard facilities Established links to premiership clubs, regularly attracting talent spotters to fixtures Off-pitch all-round athlete conditioning through the Millfield Institute of Sport and Wellbeing CHRIS ROBSHAW BUTLEIGH; CLASS OF 2004 When Chris joined Millfield, he struggled with dyslexia and rugby was seen by his teachers as part of the solution. I wanted to play for England one day, but it wasn t until I was 17 that I realised I might make it. Millfield gave me the opportunity to do what I am doing today, and put me in a great position. I m very privileged to have been a pupil there. They give you the opportunities, through top-class coaching and facilities. In all sports. No surprise that the school produced top-class players in Gareth Edwards, JPR Williams, Jon Mallet who came back to coach us Matt Perry, Chris Oti, and Mako Vunipola. Mentoring by Old Millfieldian professional athletes
INVESTORS It is a privilege to establish a significant rugby legacy at Millfield, far beyond our lifetimes, providing an annual place at our school every year in perpetuity. But the immense reward for investors is to be able to experience the scholars who come through Millfield, and to follow their progress through their rugby careers, which we hope will see them represent their country. Tim Griffiths - Kingweston; Class of 79 Each year investors are invited to Founder s Day where they will watch the award recipients play and have the opportunity to meet them. As the scholars careers progress beyond Millfield, they will continue to join Founders Day where incoming scholars can gain inspiration from their predecessors. Sir Gareth s 1st XV Millfield squad, have already raised more than 100k towards this scholarship. The 1964-66 Millfield rugby squad are creating their team s legacy at Millfield by contributing collectively to the Sir Gareth Edwards Scholarship Fund. We cannot think of a more appropriate way to repay our collective debt to the school, Boss, our coaches and of course Gareth in support of future Millfield rugby teams and we do hope that you will be able to contribute, as you are able. Andrew Higginson OBE, MBE - Shapwick and Captain Rugby 1965 MATT PERRY ORCHARDS; CLASS OF 1995 Millfield gave me an opportunity to show my resilience, in what was a highly competitive, yet supportive environment. The standard of coaching was world class, and with that support, helped me develop my skills yearon-year. It enabled me to become a self starter, build my character and without doubt allowed me to grow my confidence to go onto to become a professional rugby player.
This award will help perpetuate the extraordinary opportunity that Millfield offers, not only in its facilities but in its culture. We need your help and your generosity to give talented youngsters the chances and the wonderful experiences that I ve had and from which I ve benefitted so much. Sir Gareth Edwards CBE Millfield, Class of 66 Talent wasted? Sir Gareth s much needed scholarship to Millfield was his big break in life which bore a rugby legend. A hero, a mentor and a sharp reminder that talent has to be fed. The launch of this award is both a celebration of Millfield s epic and unique success in rugby and a commitment to continuing to give the life changing break to those who are in need of our help. Join us in this exciting and rewarding endeavour to celebrate and immortalise rugby talent by creating an in perpetuity Sir Gareth Edwards Scholarship. Duncan Goodhew MBE: Chairman of the Millfield Foundation - Walton; Class of 75 If you believe that this special award will have a positive impact, please invest in a project which will support generations of rugby stars into the future regardless of their financial means. All contributions to this award are extremely valuable, from 10 to 100,000 we do need your support. TO INVEST Donate instantly at millfieldschool.com/sge or contact Gareth Turnbull turnbull.g@millfieldschool.com 07717 753322 millfieldschool.com/sge
CHARITY INFORMATION Donated funds are normally invested and scholarship awards are financed from the capital growth, enabling gifts to be sustained in perpetuity. The Millfield Foundation manages a fund of over 3million which currently supports the education of several pupils at Millfield. Donations can be eligible for Gift Aid and tax relief: Tax band Gross donation Millfield receives (including Gift Aid) Tax relief Net cost of donation 20% 10,000 12,500 10,000 DONORS CHARTER 100% of every donation will be spent on the specified project All donors can enjoy our active donor recognition programme, with exclusive invitations to events, a unique silver badge for donors and a dedicated account manager We respect the anonymity of our donors when requested to do so If you tell us not to contact you, we will be careful to honour that Our Foundation is chaired by Duncan Goodhew, who is supported by several dedicated trustees such as former Millfield Headmaster Peter Johnson, three Millfield governors, and a team of several very talented and passionate Millfield alumni. 40% 10,000 12,500 2,500 7,500 45% 10,000 12,500 3,125 6,875 Try our Gift Aid calculator and donate online at millfieldschool.com/giving The Millfield Foundation (Charity number: 1121630)