How Yorkshire's rugby league teams are helping tackle youth crime and violence on our streets

Yorkshire's top rugby league teams are joining forces to help tackle youth crime and violence across the county, it has been revealed.
By Lucy Leeson
Published 13th Jan 2020, 17:00 BST
The new programme, entitled Inspiring Futures, aims to prevent young people from getting caught up in violent crime through work in the classroom, in communities and with families.The new programme, entitled Inspiring Futures, aims to prevent young people from getting caught up in violent crime through work in the classroom, in communities and with families.
The new programme, entitled Inspiring Futures, aims to prevent young people from getting caught up in violent crime through work in the classroom, in communities and with families.

The new programme, entitled Inspiring Futures, aims to prevent young people from getting caught up in violent crime through work in the classroom, in communities and with families.

Clubs from Yorkshire involved will included Hull FC, Leeds Rhinos and Huddersfield Giants.

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The programme has been made possible after the Rugby Football League (RFL) was awarded £660,000 from the Youth Endowment Fund.

Ralph Rimmer, Chief Executive of the Rugby Football League, said: “Rugby League is committed as a sport to making lives better, and it is uniquely placed to do so. This great news is further recognition of the difference this sport makes in its communities. On behalf of the sport, the RFL is at the forefront of evidencing the value of the sport’s work in mental health, education, skills and community cohesion, as well as physical wellbeing through sport. This year we will continue to promote this social dividend, including speaking to Government and policy makers about increasing social mobility through Rugby League.

“We know that young people want and deserve direction, guidance and positive role models to look up to – and unfortunately what can happen in the absence of these things. Rugby League clubs are at the centre of their communities, with owners, coaches, volunteers and players all involved with local activity that benefits their town, city and region. With the support of the Youth Endowment Fund, we know that Rugby League will make an even bigger difference for young people.”

The Inspiring Futures programme will be made up of three strands: Educate, Aspire and Connect.

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Educate will see coaches from the clubs’ foundations deliver assemblies in local secondary schools to 8,750 young people, aged 11 to 14, over the next two years. The sessions will use messages and media from professional Rugby League players to promote self-esteem, teamwork and well-being. Coaches will also work alongside these schools to run 12-week mentoring programmes to support young people with behavioural issues.

Aspire will use a sports-based programme to develop the life-skills and confidence of 1,400 young people. The foundations will work with local crime prevention agencies to target anti-social behaviour hotspots, first-time offenders and young people at high-risk of offending.

Connect recognises the importance of strong family relationships in preventing young people engaging in crime and violence. The ten-week intensive therapy programme will work with 315 young people and their family members to strengthen relationships, develop resilience and improve communication.

The Youth Endowment Fund will evaluate the impact of the RFL’s Inspiring Futures programme and share the learning to support further early intervention projects across England and Wales.