An inner-city rugby programme aiming to bring young people from disadvantaged backgrounds into the sport has been launched in Islington.
Hitz rugby, which is supported by Premier Rugby, the Metropolitan Police Service and the Active Communities Network, is now running in six London boroughs and introduces players to tag, touch and contact rugby, while also helping to build confidence in everyday life.
Taking place every Saturday in Rosemary Gardens, sessions are free and consist of skills practice, games and appearances from current Guinness Premiership rugby players.
Rugby is not a game often associated with breaking down social barriers – the public school blazer and tie image of the amateur days still lingers in a sport some perceive as socially elitist – but the Hitz programme abandons such anachronisms to teach children the values of teamwork, loyalty and thinking positively.
The programme has been praised by former Saracens, England and British and Irish Lions flanker Richard Hill, who said it was important for rugby to play its part in the community.
He said: “It’s great to see rugby being used as the basis of a project like this, working with young people who often have no previous knowledge or even interest in the sport. Rugby is an inclusive game, and what this project shows is that it’s the core values of rugby, such as respect, teamwork and sportsmanship can make a difference, not only to develop the rugby skills of participants, but also as part of helping them fulfil their potential as individuals.
“An important part of the programme is using rugby to teach people about aggression and control. Rugby teaches you to deal with physical contact, to respect your opponent and the environment and to channel your aggression in a positive way.”
Helen Clayton, who works for Premier Rugby and runs the programme in Islington, said she faces a tough challenge convincing football-mad children to give the oval ball a chance.
“The standard reaction to rugby in Islington is for someone to shout ‘There’s something wrong with your football, mate.’ It’s difficult to change perceptions, but we’re trying.
“So far there’s not much call for touch rugby, they all want to get straight into the contact stuff. They need an outlet and rugby provides them with one.”
Ms Clayton added: “People see rugby as a white man’s sport, but that’s just not true anymore. It’s totally inclusive and because it relies so heavily on teamwork, it’s the perfect way to break down social barriers. We get kids coming along who don’t get on at school, but put them on a rugby pitch and they become different people.
“Our aim is to provide an introduction for children who would not normally get the chance to play rugby and then hopefully encourage them to join one of the local clubs.”
