Get Started With Rugby

Pictures: Exeter Rugby Club/Pinnacle Photographic Agency

A group of Devon youngsters believe they have been given an ideal springboard to kick-start their careers thanks to the help of Exeter Chiefs, South West Communications Group and the Prince's Trust.

The three organisations recently teamed up to help launch the new 'Get Started with Rugby' course, which aims to allow young people the opportunity to gain the skills and confidence they need to get a job in the future.

During the five-day course, which was held at Sandy Park - the home of Exeter Rugby Club - the group were able to gain not only the RFU Rugby Ready certificate, but also qualifications in Emergency First Aid at Work (Sports First Aider), Basic Food Hygiene, Emergency Life Support and Safeguarding and Protecting Children.

The course also teaches CV and interview techniques, as well as a three-month mentoring support process after the course to help them in their pursuit of a finding a job.

For youngsters Henry Cast, Joe Smith, Matt Belcher, Laurence Spencer-Butler and James Parmenter - the inaugural participants at the Chiefs - the completion of the course has proved not only a worthwhile exercise for each and every one of them, but has given them the confidence to now push on and look to find themselves a working career.

Karl Culleton, Programme Executive of the Prince's Trust, said: "We were delighted with how this first 'Get Started with Rugby' course has progressed. For all the boys this has not only given them a massive helping hand in terms of their own individuals futures, but they have also left with a number of varying qualifications that will not only improve their CVs, but will make them more attractive to future employers.

"Although this is the first course we have run, the Prince's Trust and our partners Exeter Chiefs and South West Communications Group already have plans to carry out similar courses in the New Year. Our aim as a Trust is to help disadvantaged young people in the region and offer them an exciting and valuable opportunity to help get their lives back on track."

Such a view is shared by Harry Langley, South West Communications Group’s managing director, who himself popped into Sandy Park during the week to oversee the work being carried out by the group.

He said: "We are all aware that not everybody has the perfect start in life, but schemes like this really do help to give those youngsters that bit of help they need. As a company we are delighted to offer our support to the project, which is using not only the brand of the Exeter Chiefs to deliver the message, but also the expertise of the Prince's Trust.

"It's great to see that those who have participated in this course are here for the main purpose that they want to change their lives for the better. As an employer I know that traditional learning mechanisms don't always suit everyone, so it's great to see that learning and training methods you sometimes associate with that of a rugby team are being used to help bring these youngsters on."

For more details on the course or to book a place, please contact Karl Culleton on 01752 251 051 or e-mail karl.culleton@princes-trust.org.uk.

The Prince’s Trust has teamed up with Exeter Chiefs and South West Communications Group to give rugby fans the chance to kick-start their careers.

A new Get Started with Rugby course is the first of three courses to be funded by South West Communications Group this year. The Exeter Chiefs main, first team and community sponsor is a patron of The Prince’s Trust and has already raised more than £150,000 to help disadvantaged young people in the region.

The course will also be part-funded by the European Social Fund.
 
The Trust is now looking for unemployed 16-to-25-year-olds to take part in its five-day Get Started with Rugby programme, running from 17th October at Exeter Chiefs’ home ground Sandy Park Stadium.

Get Started with Rugby will help young people gain the skills and confidence they need to get a job. Participants will have the chance to gain the RFU rugby ready coaching certificate as well as qualifications in sports first aid and safeguarding and protecting children.
 
The course also teaches CV and interview techniques and young people will receive three months mentoring support after the course to help them get a job. More than three in four young people helped by The Prince’s Trust move into work or training.

Exeter Chiefs prop Chris Budgen said: “Rugby is a fantastic sport that is based on motivation, respect and teamwork. Getting involved can help boost young people’s confidence, social skills and attendance, improving their chances of getting a job.”

Rick Libbey, regional director for The Prince’s Trust in the South West said: “South West Communications Group has yet again proved its commitment to supporting disadvantaged young people in the South West by funding this new course at Exeter Chiefs Rugby Club. With their support, Get Started with Rugby will offer an exciting and valuable opportunity to local young people who want to get their lives on track.”

Harry Langley, South West Communications Group’s managing director, said: “Rugby is an inspirational game, both on and off the field, and we hope this innovative programme will inspire confidence in young people from our region to find work during these difficult, economics times.”

A taster day for those interested in signing up to the course will take place on Tuesday 11th October. For more details or to book a place on an information session please contact Karl Culleton on 01752 251 051 or e-mail karl.culleton@princes-trust.org.uk.

Youth charity The Prince's Trust helps change young lives.  It gives practical and financial support, developing key workplace skills such as confidence and motivation.  It works with 13- to 30-year-olds who have struggled at school, have been in care, are long-term unemployed or have been in trouble with the law.  More than three in four young people helped by The Prince’s Trust move into work or training.