Over 300 year 5 school children have benefited from a six-week block of out of school sessions on the Leeds Rhinos Foundation’s ‘Inspiring Champions’ project sponsored by IGEN Trust since the start of the school year in September.
As schools break for the Easter school holidays, the programme has so far involved 20 groups of students from 12 Leeds primary schools, reaching a total of 300 year 5 school children across the city.
Delivered by Leeds Rhinos Foundation Project Tutor Martin Hodgkinson, the programme has been devised to contribute to the reduction of children becoming NEET later on in life, targeting those statistically more likely to fall into that category with early intervention at the key stage 2 age group.
Running since September, the programme covers themes focussing on health and wellbeing, ambitions and aspirations, building resilience, looking towards the future, learning respect and values and a chance to identify with the Rhinos and the city of Leeds by taking a tour of the stadium.
As an added bonus for children on the course, Leeds Rhinos star Ashton Golding has also worked with the programme exclusively this term, providing inspiration for the groups with Q & A sessions as well as, presenting awards in the final week of delivery.
“It’s really good to meet the kids from the programme who really enjoy coming to the stadium, as players it’s our job to be positive role models for young people in Leeds, so working with so many is a great opportunity.”
The programme will continue into July and the end of the school year with 150 more children attend the weekly lessons, which will see classes running every day of the week at Leeds Rhinos Foundation's TryZone Education Centre at Headingley Carnegie Stadium.
To register your school for the programme contact Martin.Hodgkinson@leedsrhinosfoundation.org