HITZ Programme

The award-winning HITZ programme at Topsham RFC

HITZ is Premiership Rugby’s award-winning education and employability programme which works with over 2,000 16-18 year-olds and 18-24 year olds (EHCP Dependent) across England every year.

HITZ uses rugby’s core values of teamwork, respect, enjoyment, discipline and sportsmanship to get young people not in education, training or employment (NEET) back into education, training, apprenticeships and/or employment, and is delivered nationally by England’s 12 professional rugby clubs.

Our core offer, the HITZ Learning Academy, offers a relaxed environment targeted at 16-18 year-olds and 18-24 year olds (EHCP Dependent) to improve their functional maths and English, develop valuable life skills and gain important qualifications alongside experience from work placements and employer-led sessions.

The programme also offers essential enrichment and sporting activities which supports the development of the whole individual through not only improving their mental but physical wellbeing as well.

Participants in the HITZ programme regularly report an increase in resilience, self-confidence and aspiration as a result of their involvement, and over 70% go on to achieve a positive progression into further education, training or employment.

HITZ is funded nationally by the Wooden Spoon charity and locally the Exeter Chiefs Foundation kindly donates money each season to allow the programme to run at Topsham RFC. Which offers fantastic facilities and is an easily accessible location.

Education - YMCA

The HITZ Learning Academy offers a NCFE Level 1 Employability Course:

Delivered by our education providers, YMCA, an approved NCFE centre. Students will study a variety of nationally-recognised qualifications within sport, coaching and fitness and where required, students can study Maths and English GCSE or Functional Skills.

YMCA is one of the UK’s leading independent providers of education through sport.

Government approved post-16 private education provider

Experts in the field of sport and education delivery with over 15 years' experience

Nationally recognised for high quality advice and guidance

Programmes delivered in real sports environments

Proven progression route

Activity - Exeter Chiefs

Exeter Rugby HITZ Programme also offers a Sports Leadership Award and the chance to:

Play a range of sports while having fun and making new friends

Get fit and learn about health and nutrition

Improve communication skills and confidence

Receive support to increase literacy and numeracy skills

Learn work preparation skills & experience to improve employability

Hitz On Track - Exeter Chiefs

The HITZ on Track programme offers local secondary schools in Devon a 6 week programme which focuses on core themes that affect young people in our communities. The project targets 14-16 year olds who are at risk of becoming NEET (Not in employment, education or Training) and covers bespoke topics such as: