The Leeds Rhinos Foundation is this week pleased to welcome back former academy player Clayton Stott, who has returned to the club in a full time capacity with the club’s education project Tryzone.
Clayton, who joined the academy in 2008, has a previous history with the Leeds Rhinos Foundation having previously volunteered with Tryzone, and his experience will be a valuable asset to the team in the delivery of their upcoming out of School learning projects.
Tryzone which is funded by the Big Lottery, held its first pilot session back in April 2013, when the programme based in its purpose built learning centre at Headingly Carnegie stadium initially embarked on its three-year programme of education.
Since his last involvement with Tryzone, Clayton has been building towards a future career in sport and teaching by completing his degree in P.E. at Leeds Beckett University and gaining some exposure to the classroom setting, something which he hopes to bring to his new role as Family Project Tutor:
“When I was working at the Foundation before, I was still at college, going onto University, so I’ve completed my degree now in P.E. and I’ve looked to get into Schools, working at South Leeds Academy before moving over to Crofton academy. I’ve been working in High Schools predominantly, covering lessons and supporting the kids in classrooms.
“It was all to gain experience because I wanted to do a similar sort of role going forward, so it was a foot in the door to get to know people and increase my confidence while I was younger and it has obviously led to good things with this full time role.”
Working in the community and providing education has always been a long term goal for the Leeds-born second row forward, who is now playing with Oulton Raiders, one of the foundation’s ambassador clubs:
“I’ve definitely always had a passion to get involved in education, doing these types of things in supporting young people, I think it’s the versatility of seeing different things every day with people from a range of backgrounds and working with people in all areas, every day is different and a new challenge.
“I’m still playing down at Oulton Raiders and looking forward to starting the new season in the top national conference league this year, so I’ll carry on playing Rugby alongside working here.”
In his new role with Tryzone, Clayton will use his sporting and educational background to promote a new area of learning, with a series of sessions demonstrating the importance of nutrition and physical activity:
“I’ll be getting more involved and doing some presenting, I’ve been given a new project to start getting kids more active and embracing important considerations like diet and exercise to promote healthy lifestyles, so I’m excited about getting involved in that.”
Since his previous volunteer role with the programme, the new Tryzone tutor has seen considerable changes in the amount of new initiatives that the foundation’s educational arm offers, with projects now offering support in returning to work, helping young dad’s and a new girls group (TAGG) all starting in 2014:
“When I first came down to Tryzone it was a still a pilot project, so it was quite new and they were trying different things out. I thought at the time it had the foundations there for it to be successful and It has clearly grown since then, so that’s why I looked to come back as soon as I had the opportunity.”
For details of any of Clayton’s upcoming projects or to get involved in one of Tryzone’s educational sessions contact nigel.wood@leedsrugbyfoundation.org