SOHK’s Deborah Griffin is the RFU’s first female President

We'd like you to meet someone very special to School Of Hard Knocks (SOHK) - and someone equally important to the world of women's rugby here in the UK. Deborah Griffin OBE has been a champion of ours since 2012, serving on our board of trustees as Chair for 10 years. Today, we are proud to have her as our Life President.

Beyond our charity, Deborah is well-known in the rugby world. Her journey began as a rugby player at University College London where she played in the first game of women's rugby in England in 1978. In 1983, she was one of the founding members of the Women's Rugby Football Union.

Deborah continued to go from strength to strength, championing and organising the first ever Women's Rugby World Cup (WRWC) in 1991. Her passion and influence in the rugby sphere continues to grow, having now been appointed the first female Rugby Football Union (RFU) President from 1st August 2025. A remarkable achievement and so well deserved! Feeling as if Deborah’s story is calling back to its opening chapter, this appointment comes just in time for the WRWC 2025, providing Deborah with a new platform to further shape and grow the future of women’s rugby in the UK.

We are thrilled for Deborah and are eager to see what she will achieve as President!

Latest

When Confidence Clicks: Jane’s Journey

SOHK participant Jane lives with mild hearing loss in both ears. A setting like SOHK made her nervous at first - but then Jane discovered her own passion, power, and persistence - and it's paying off every single session.
To The Nines: Interview with Rhea Clarke

We interview Scottish Rugby player Rhea Clarke about what rugby has meant to her and about what charities like School Of Hard Knocks (SOHK) mean for young players today.
A SLICE OF SIX NATIONS - SCOTLAND v IRELAND

Join the School of Hard Knocks charity for a thrilling Six Nations screening of the Scotland v Ireland Women's match, a complimentary welcome drink - beer, prosecco, or soft drink - plus free-flowing pizza throughout the game. All proceeds go to SOHK's life-changing work!
Testing Rugby Skills at Scotland Mini-Festival

In March 2026, we held our Scotland East and West Mini Rugby Tournaments - events which help our students put what they've learned into practice.

When Confidence Clicks: Jane’s Journey

SOHK participant Jane lives with mild hearing loss in both ears. A setting like SOHK made her nervous at first - but then Jane discovered her own passion, power, and persistence - and it's paying off every single session.
Testing Rugby Skills at Scotland Mini-Festival

In March 2026, we held our Scotland East and West Mini Rugby Tournaments - events which help our students put what they've learned into practice.
Trying Together: SOHK x Investec Eton Manor Tournaments 2026

Our annual girls’ and boys’ Spring rugby tournaments are back! The tournaments held at Eton Manor RFC in March saw nearly 350 young people from the charity’s school programmes take to the pitch to show off their skills.
Beyond the Numbers of the UK’s Attendance Crisis

UK school attendance is at record lows. Explore why absences are rising, what the consequences are, and solutions School of Hard Knocks are taking to tackle persistent absenteeism and encourage kids to come to schools.
SOHK’s Impact Across UK Schools in 2025

The 2025 school year has come to an end across the UK – hurrah! - and we’re both thrilled and encouraged by the outstanding performance reports coming in from our partner schools.
Havant RFC and SOHK Charity Event a Huge Success

28 cyclists. 200km cycled. More than £30,000 raised. We are blown away by the support, strength, and spirit shown by everyone involved in the IOW Cycle Ride!
Inside the Volcano: Helping Students Manage Their Emotions

If you’ve ever watched a student erupt in frustration or shut down entirely, you’ve probably asked yourself: what’s really going on beneath the surface?
Why Your School Needs SOHK

To fulfil their potential, a young person needs the right support system. In this Q&A, Senior SEL Lead Claire Hawes gives us a powerful look into what that support looks like in action, and why more schools are turning to SOHK to transform student wellbeing and engagement.
Broadwood Festival 2025: Tackles, Triumphs & Turning Points

Over 175 students from nine schools across Glasgow, Fife, West Lothian, and beyond came together at Broadwood Stadium, Cumbernauld, for our third annual Spring School of Hard Knocks (SOHK) Scotland Rugby Festival.
Young Talent shines at Wales Rugby Tournament

Over 150 boys and girls from five schools across South Wales came together at Caerau Ely Rugby Club at the beginning of May for the School of Hard Knocks (SOHK) Wales Spring Rugby Festival – a two-day celebration of sport, teamwork, and personal growth.

About Us

SOHK's mission is to empower children to realise their full potential. We envision is a society where every young person has an equal opportunity to succeed.
SOHK Schools Programme

The SOHK Schools Programme combines rugby sessions, 1-2-1 mentoring, and group discussions delivered by a consistent team of experts dedicated to supporting a young person's growth and potential.
Ken Cowen - Founder & CEO
Our History

School Of Hard Knocks (SOHK) was set up by Ken Cowen in 2009 and established as a not-for-profit organisation in 2012. Initially set up to help individuals find and sustain employment, SOHK has developed significantly over the years in order to adapt to society's ever-changing landscape.
Become a regular giver

Become a Friend of SOHK and help change lives for the better. We support empower vulnerable children so they can create a positive future, but we need your support. Please donate just £3 per month and help us change the game.
Donate today

SOHK delivers life-changing schools programmes for secondary school-age young people across the UK. By fostering an environment of genuine acceptance, and physical activity, group and one-to-one support sessions, SOHK enables participants to find meaning and purpose in life. As a charity, we depend on generous donations to support our mission and extend our reach to young people whose lives can be transformed by our programmes.
Rosa Innes - Head of Partnerships, Scotland
Policies and reports

Policies and reports
Our Psychology

All of School Of Hard Knocks (SOHK) activities are underpinned by 'the 3Cs'. This framework was originally developed by Dr. Chris Harwood and Dr. Karl Steptoe as a coaching methodology for youth football that incorporated life skills development. Over the years, School Of Hard Knocks has drawn on this evidence-based practice and applied it to SOHK Programmes. The 3Cs seek to improve an individual's confidence, control, and connection.
Impact and statistics