During a time of interrupted curriculums and a rise in youth unemployment, Premiership Rugby’s flagship education and employability programme HITZ is providing an effective education and employability solution for young people affected by the current landscape.
That’s the message from Premiership Rugby's Community & Corporate Social Responsibility Director Wayne Morris, who – on the release of the GCSE results today – is keen to ensure that the ongoing coronavirus pandemic has a minimal impact on young people's personal and academic development.
Since its inception in 2008, nearly 16,000 11-19 year olds have engaged in the HITZ programme at professional rugby clubs all over the country, with opportunities to earn vital qualifications including Maths and English, undertake valuable work experience opportunities and engage in essential enrichment and sporting activities – all in an inclusive environment.
Northampton Saints’ own HITZ programme is already full for the upcoming academic year, but if you or someone you know would like to sign up, please email [email protected] to join our waiting list.
Morris explains that Premiership Rugby are determined to slow the rise in young people not in education, employment or training (NEET), by offering an alternative path to more mainstream academic choices.
“We’ve got a really challenging landscape at the moment for young people,” he said. “Education has been disrupted, we’ve got a rising number of young people not in education, employment or training, and a labour market in decline.
“There’s never been a bigger need for a programme like HITZ. By working with our clubs and channelling the game’s key values, we offer a unique environment that provides a chance to learn with other people in similar situations and with tutors who understand the needs of each individual.
“It’s an exciting opportunity to achieve a variety of qualifications and come out the other side well-equipped for the workplace, apprenticeships or further education, having had a great deal of fun in the process.”
Inclusivity is among the main aims of the HITZ programme, with young people from all walks of life encouraged to get involved, regardless of whether they’ve ever even held a rugby ball before.
With the programme usually working with over 2,000 14-18-year-olds across England every year, Morris is expecting numbers across all of the Gallagher Premiership’s clubs to increase in the current climate – but he is embracing the challenge of enhancing the prospects of more young people than ever before.
He said: “We always talk about the HITZ family, our tutors and learners develop unique bonds in a way that is very different from colleges and schools. It’s important to stress that everyone is welcomed to the HITZ family, made to feel at home and well supported.”
Northampton Saints’ own HITZ programme is already full for the upcoming academic year, but if you or someone you know would like to sign up, please email [email protected] to join our waiting list.
