Youngsters' Lives Changed by the Power of Rugby

Youngsters around England will now be able to benefit from an award winning social change programme delivered by Premiership Rugby and its associated clubs.

Through a structured programme of rugby, life skills training and mentoring, HITZ acts as an entry point for tackling some of the challenges facing vulnerable British youth today aiming to help young people address personal barriers or disillusionment, inter-personal conflict and frustration and unemployment. With a particular focus on Not in Education, Employment or Training agenda (NEET), the project aims to initiate behaviour change and fosters confidence in disenfranchised young people.

The HITZ model has been developed and refined over the last three years and currently involves six Premiership Rugby Clubs. Funding will allow the programme to grow and expand further to all 12 Premiership Rugby Clubs and a 13^th more communities and benefiting an increased number of vulnerable youths.

One of the partners helping this happen is Land Rover. The partnership builds on Land Rover’s existing work with Premiership Rugby which includes the grassroots rugby tournament, The Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup.

Land Rover will add enhanced scope and depth to the programme drawing on facilities, resources and expertise through Land Rover employee engagement, ultimately increasing the participants’ opportunities to fulfil their true potential.

Jonathan Garrett, Jaguar Land Rover Corporate Social Responsibility Director, said: “We are excited to be supporting this fantastic programme. At Jaguar Land Rover, we want to make a real contribution to our local communities and support initiatives that make a difference to people’s lives.”

Laura Schwab, Land Rover UK Marketing Director, said: “We have a great partnership with Premiership Rugby and are committed to supporting them grow the game of rugby. What better way than to continue this partnership with supporting a programme that uses rugby in such a positive way.”

Land Rover has appointed Rugby World Cup winner, Lewis Moody, to become its HITZ ambassador, he said: “Rugby is a fantastic vehicle to help young people learn skills that they need for everyday life – whether it’s helping to channel aggression or learning skills such as teamwork that can help gain employment for further education. I am thrilled to be part of this programme and look forward to working alongside Land Rover to help use rugby within local communities.”

At the re-launch of this initiative, Mark McCafferty, CEO, Premiership Rugby commented: “The power of professional rugby with its club brands, facilities, players and coaches to deliver social change is immense. The expansion of Premiership Rugby’s social impact work together with partners from public and private sector organisations in the run up to Rugby World Cup 2015 is using the game to change the lives of individuals and communities for the better through HITZ and our other social change programmes.”

Land Rover’s support of Premiership Rugby, the Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup and now the HITZ programme is a part of the company’s well-established relationship with rugby which includes Rugby World Cup 2015, the British & Irish Lions tour to Australia 2013 and the Top 14 Orange in France.