SpoonCommunityRugby
school, trying to encourage them 2008 through Premier Rugby, the Wales running another pilot project
Evolution
back into education. Some are with twelve Premiership clubs and Leeds fully funded by a charitable
kids in the criminal justice system Tykes. foundation. The project works on
NOT
trying to show them a new way of Health professionals estimate that the same lines as that in Gloucester
life. the numbers of obese children is and is being headed up by Paul
Revolution
To date Spoon has predominantly double that of 10 years ago, Thorburn former welsh
funded capital projects through the significantly increasing the risk of international.
Regions mostly for kids with future health problems. Research Spoon Ambassadors, Shane
Spoon’s new funding
physical and mental disabilities. has highlighted a link between William, Ryan Jones are putting
programmes aim to
These will continue, as they should, childhood obesity and deprivation, their weight behind the project and
tackle social issues they do great work and support possibly linked to lack of it is hoped that they will provide
disadvantaged kids all over the opportunity or sporting culture. much inspiration for the youngsters
Spoon Community Rugby is the country but in the present climate it Rugby has a proved track record to return to education or embark
umbrella term for a series of is necessary to source funding from of engaging with bigger kids, on employment.
charitable projects designed to other areas to ensure that Spoon giving them a valuable role and Pilot projects still being formalised
deliver support to socially can sustain its support of avoiding the humiliation associated include a project working with Sale
disadvantaged children around the disadvantaged children. Ownership with many other sporting activities RFC and Spoon Manchester &
UK using Rugby as the catalyst to of projects and promotion will in where size is a major impediment. Cheshire supported by Brixton a
give children and young people a turn bring in corporate sponsors Try Rugby projects aim to: corporation who shares Spoon’s
better chance in life. that will support Spoon in a variety Work with young people aged 7- ethos to helps socially
Spoon has identified particular of different ways. 11 of all shapes and sizes disadvantaged youngsters.
issues amongst young people that The projects are (or will be) run encouraging kids to start regular Two other projects are being
rugby is uniquely able to address. for Spoon by the RFU, WRU, SRU, exercise through rugby; establish a planned with the Support of
The Charity has harnessed the Premiership and Magners League pattern of physical activity that is Inspired by Sport. A new
support of the rugby community to Clubs. However, Spoon is also conducive to good health which foundation that encourages
help deliver these programmes. commissioning these partners to the majority of participants commit youngsters to play sport and
Spoon Community Rugby projects run Spoon projects rather than to after the programme; improve achieve more in their lives. With
are all about evolution not a Spoon funding theirs. This gives confidence, fitness, self-worth, a their backing and other funds
revolution. They work directly with Spoon ownership and more control positive body image whatever presently being sourced, Spoon is
kids, mostly from very difficult over elements such as branding shape or size. going to establish a Union and
backgrounds who can, with a bit of and publicity. As well as creating League project in the north and
help, raise themselves out of the stronger bonds within rugby Spoon Pilot Projects south of England following similar
life that they were born into. amongst the players and coaching Spoon has raised funds for new lines to the Gloucester project.
Rugby training is not just about teams and giving Spoon the projects from corporate citizenship With Worcester RFC, Spoon is
technical skills. Its about respect, capacity to ask for greater budgets and from charitable trusts rolling out a project funded by
teamwork, discipline and having fundraising support regionally and that cannot fund Spoon’s employment agent, Pertemps. They
something positive to do in your centrally. traditional capital projects. A series presently conduct a very successful
spare time. These skills and It is extremely motivating to see of programmes working with CSR programme where they are
disciplines can be extremely these youngsters turn into some individual delivery partners and helping youngsters excluded from
valuable to young people who are pretty fine young people. Through sponsors are being rolled out over School to be placed in jobs. This
born into a difficult environment or these Spoon Community Rugby the next few moths. project will address kids in the
who have gone off the rails. programmes, their lives can be The first of these to be delivered inner-city of Birmingham. This is a
Spoon aims to provide a better turned around and that is a is the Onside Project at Gloucester partnership with the Regional
prospect of life for young people fantastic opportunity for all Rugby Club. The objective of the Committee, a corporate partner
who are in danger of a life of crime youngsters and for society at large. project is to encourage children and Worcester Warriors.
and threatening behaviour, and who are either excluded from
through an improvement in their Try for Life school for behavioural problems or A full synopsis of all the Spoon
values and behaviour, to improve These are 25 projects being not in employment to embark on a Community Rugby programmes
the lives of the communities in delivered by the RFU across course that will not only teach can be read opposite and updates
which they live. By encouraging the England. RFU coaches work in them to play rugby but will help can be found at:
adoption of rugby’s values, these partnership with their local them through the values of rugby www.woodenspoon.com/scr
difficult young people may be constabulary’s youth offending to channel their energies into
encouraged to swap gang culture team to identify and work with helping themselves. The
for rugby club culture and a lifelong young people aged 14 - 18 who unique aspect of the project is
change in attitude and behaviour. are in, or on the edge of, the that once the course is
Other projects are targetting criminal justice system. Try for Life completed kids receive a
younger children trying to projects aim to: Reduce vandalism, qualification. In many cases this
encourage them into a healthy violence and anti-social behaviour could be the only qualification
lifestyle. Some are focused on older by young men and women aged they might have received
kids who have been excluded from 14 - 24; encourage unemployed from their time in education.
Right Top: Children from the Worcester
young people into education, Spoon is setting a target of
area particpating in the Try Rugby
training or employment; improve 50% of all participants to
programme in partnership with
attendance rates and achievement return to education.
Worcester Warriors, PRL and Spoon
at school; improve confidence, With this project, Spoon is
Right: Sally Pettipher, Spoon
Programme Director and Stuart
communication, physical fitness, leading the field for sporting
Makepeace from Sport England self-worth and positive behaviour. charities and that is a great
accompanied by two London Irish
position to be in.
players and local children to launch
the Try Rugby programme at
Try Rugby Spoon is also working
Twickenham in the Autumn Try Rugby started in September with Ospreys in South
28 Spoonews Winter 2009
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