Pupils from Greenhill Primary School in Leeds have been the first to take part in new education project ‘Inspiring Champions’ supported by the IGEN Trust and delivered by Leeds Rhinos Foundation staff at the at the TryZone Education Centre at Headingley Carnegie Stadium.
The Inspiring Champions project is an early intervention initiative and the first in the city of its kind, using the brand of Leeds Rhinos and it's assets such as players, facilities and values, the project aims to stop children becoming NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) later on in life.
The programme supports those especially in deprived areas, by utilising the TryZone study support centre at Headingley Carnegie Stadium to help them make better and more positive life choices.
Aimed at year 5 children, the programme has been designed to help increase educational experiences away from the school setting by engaging children in activities that inspire them to become more responsible citizens in future life.
Delivered over a six-week block of lessons, the group cover topics relating to future aspirations and leading a healthy lifestyle, with a series of outcomes based around increasing self-esteem and motivation to continue learning at school.
The children from Greenhill Primary have so far benefited from a stadium tour, a special workshop about understanding strengths and weaknesses; including a chance to see the Leeds Rhinos' trophy winning haul of 2015 and last week received a visit from Leeds Rhinos star Ashton Golding.
The group put the Rhinos Full Back on the 'Hot Seat' and asked questions they had designed the previous week about what it takes to become a professional rugby league player and what makes Leeds a winning team, discussing their future goals and ideal careers.
Alison Davies, who provides behaviour support at Greenhill Primary and has attended the sessions at the TryZone centre with the group said:
"The programme has already had an impact on the kids, who are coming back to school and telling all their friends about it."
"It's meeting the needs of the kids because it's giving them something to look forward to and work towards and it's great to see them all engaged in learning, gaining confidence and enjoying the sessions."
Chris Barr, Project Tutor for the Leeds Rhinos Foundation, who is leading the programme added:
"We are trying to give the kids something to inspire them every week, it was great to have the trophies down and Ronnie the Rhino who they are all excited about, but one of the highlights so far has definitely been the session with Ashton Golding who got some great discussion going amongst the group and helped reinforce some of the messages we've covered so far."
For more information on inspiring champions contact Chris.Barr@leedsrhinosfoundation.org