News / Wellness
Rugby aces’ business venture recognised at national awards
Two Bristol Bears aces who co-founded a wellness venture have received national recognition at the sport’s annual awards night.
Harry Thacker and Jake Woolmore, who launched Sivo Wellness back in 2023 while juggling the demands of training schedules and match day commitments, bagged the Vodafone Business Gain Line Award at the recent Rugby Players Association (RPA) Awards held in London.
The Vodafone Business Gain Line Award supports current and former rugby players in their entrepreneurial ventures, recognising business innovation, encouraging diverse career paths and promoting personal development and financial independence beyond professional sport.
Bristol Bears aces Harry Thacker (left) and Jake Woolmore founded Sivo Wellness back in 2023 – photo: Milan Perera
This marks the second consecutive year the duo have received the award — but much has changed since then. Harry, who plays hooker for Pat Lam’s side, has become a qualified breathwork coach, while Jake, who plays prop, has focused on personal training and massage therapy.
The pair said they “fell into” the world of wellness through their own efforts to accelerate injury recovery.
Their trails quickly snowballed and soon after they were hauling a converted horse box sauna to music festivals and other outdoor events, becoming unexpected evangelists for the health benefits of saunas.
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A major step forward came earlier this year when Sivo Wellness secured a permanent base at The Stables at Leigh Court, a short drive from the Bristol Bears High Performance Centre in Failand.
The facility features two wooden sauna pods with adjustable heat settings and accompanying ice baths, attracting high-profile visitors, including the likes of rugby super star Ilona Maher and surfer Laura Crane.
One of the two wooden inlaid saunas on the grounds of The Stables at Leigh Court – photo: Milan Perera
Not content with star endorsements alone, the duo is determined to “break the wellness elitism” by offering sauna sessions at competitive, accessible prices.
Further upgrades are in the pipeline, including a dedicated meditation and breathwork space in what they’re calling the “Wellness Garden.”
Speaking to Bristol24/7, Harry Thacker said: “Both Jake and I are chuffed to win this award. Sometimes it’s hard to appreciate how far you’ve come when you’re in the thick of working two jobs, day in and day out. But winning this award suggests we must be doing something right — right?
“What we do know is that we’re enjoying the journey and starting to build a really supportive community of people who leave our space feeling better — physically, mentally, or hopefully both. And that’s more than enough for us.”
For the second consecutive year Thacker and Woolmore won Vodafone Gain Line Award – photo: Sivo
Thacker and Woolmore were not the only Bears to be recognised. Fellow Bear Josh Caulfield also won a Vodafone Gain Line Award for his business venture, Evolution Developments, co-founded with his brother Jake. Their construction firm is committed to raising mental health awareness within the industry.
Main photo: Sivo
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