Leeds Rhinos Foundation in partnership with the Big Lottery Fund ran a special session last week on the Resilience and Determination (RAD) project including a visit from special guest Leeds Rhinos star Zak Hardaker
During the session the group enjoyed the opportunity to have a Q&A with Leeds Rhinos and England international full back Zak about his motivations, goals and sacrifices in becoming a Rugby League player, aspiring them to realise their own potential.
Funded by key partners The Big Lottery, RAD has worked with over 150 children during the last three years, focussing on positive outcomes such as building confidence, developing resilience, boosting self-esteem and promoting fun and healthy lifestyles.
The RAD project has been in operation since 2013 and works with children referred from schools across Leeds to help them develop confidence, make better decisions around their futures with an emphasis on keeping safe and developing positive relationships.
As part of a 10-week after-school programme, which is located at the purpose built TryZone education centre at Headingley Carnegie Stadium, the sessions work through topics such as cyber bullying, body image, drugs and alcohol misuse, understanding behaviours, healthy and unhealthy relationships, changes in adolescence and keeping safe.
Running all year round with different groups of year 8 and 9 pupils, the RAD project has been praised by school teachers for its positive effect on their students. Commenting on the programme Leeds East Academy teacher Chris Reynolds said:
“The project has been outstanding in terms of the outcomes for the students, you can see a change in the behaviour in and around school, and their access to learning now is more improved than ever as you can see they are clearly thinking more about the decisions they are making in school.”
For more information please contact Project Tutor Nigel.Wood@leedsrhinosfoundation.org
For a video of Zak Hardaker's visit to RAD see below: