12 young people received an introduction into a career in sports coaching during half term while gaining their Rugby League Leaders award on the ‘Get Started’ programme run in partnership with the Prince’s Trust.
The free five-day course working with young people aged 16-25, who are outside of education, employment and training, is a personal and social development course using the inspiring theme of sport and the Leeds Rhinos to engage young people who often lack the motivation and confidence needed to take their first step.
Held at Stanningley ARLFC, attendees received an insight into topics such as healthy eating and nutrition, drugs in sport, sport and mental health during the week with guest speakers and themed workshops in the different areas of sport.
Leeds Rhinos coaching and playing staff supported the programme with a guest talk from Jimmy Keinhorst, who spoke about his rugby league journey and motivation to succeed in his sport and a smoothie making workshop and diet and health discussion with Performance Nutritionist Dr Tom Geeson-Brown.
On the topic of mental health and sport, attendees were able to hear from Andy’s Man Club founder and former Rugby League player Luke Ambler about his experiences and some of the provisions in place to tackle the issue.
Leeds City College careers team also supported the week with a talk on starting a career in sport through the many courses available in the city at the college.
Programme Leader from the Leeds Rhinos Foundation Adam Lunn said:
“We’ve had an excellent week delivering the ‘Get Started’ programme in partnership with the Prince’s Trust.
“The course offers a valuable introduction into some of the different areas young people can move into across the sports industry with the added benefit of a Rugby League Leaders award which includes real life coaching experience.”
The course delivery also provided first hand coaching experience as attendees worked through the Rugby League Leaders Award learning everything from coaching principles to session planning and officiating small sided rugby, finishing on day five with a tag rugby festival organised and delivered by the young people.
“With Rugby League as the running theme throughout the week, we’ve been able to provide guest speakers on some of the different topics and develop coaching skills around rugby league with theory and practical assessment,” added Lunn.
“It’s great to see young people who are outside of employment and education come and engage with the programme gaining in confidence and motivation to go out and succeed in sport with some new skills they have now acquired.”
For more information on Prince’s Trust ‘Get Started’ programme visit www.princes-trust.org.uk/