Leeds Rugby Foundation again proved its impact and power to change lives as Deputy Chairman Bob Bowman delivered a Restorative Practice talk to stars of the Leeds Rhinos first team.
Leeds Rhinos became the first Super League club to receive the training, as they packed into the Leeds Rugby Foundation’s new Tryzone Centre at Headingley Carnegie Stadium yesterday.
Bob Bowman, who is also a serving West Yorkshire Police Officer, inspired stars such as Ryan Hall, Rob Burrow, Carl Ablett and Trustee of the Foundation Jamie Jones-Buchanan about the importance of building relationships on and off the rugby field.
The first team were also informed of the civil regulation, rights & responsibilities, attitudes to children and the differences across Europe.
Furthermore, they were shown a short inspiring film called ‘The Woolf in Sheep’s clothing’ which featured Peter Woolf who has a past of violence, poverty and drug abuse which led to squalor and a life of crime.
But the ex-criminal, who has stayed clear of crime for over 10 years, turned his life around and now tries to get offenders to face up to the suffering they cause by meeting victims face-to-face which helps to change their lives through Restorative Practice.
Leeds Rugby Foundation’s Deputy Chairman Bob Bowman commented on the success of the talk:
“I am very fortunate in my professional capacity to be part of the city’s ambition to become a child friendly city with the aim of achieving this by using Restorative Practice.
“I have witnessed first-hand the tremendous role models we have within the Leeds Rhinos, who unbeknown to them are daily conducting themselves in a restorative manner especially our Head Coach Brian McDermott.
“I thought it was important for the players to see the synergy between their day to day life as an elite Rugby League player and restorative practice.”
The off-field education given by Bob can certainly aid the Rhinos on the field as they look to work together towards more Super League success.
For further information please contact Bob Bowman, Youth Crime Reduction Officer at
West Yorkshire Police on: bob.bowman@westyorkshire.pnn.police.uk.