On Wednesday 31st October, local MP Mary Macleod met with figures from Aviva’s Premiership Rugby flagship programme ‘Hitz’, which targets young people at risk of anti-social behaviour and exclusion from school.
The Hitz programme introduces young people to rugby to help build confidence and respect. It also aims to inspire players of the future, identifying opportunities for apprenticeships, workshops, training and other education programmes.
World Cup winner Josh Lewsey was on hand to discuss the good work of the scheme, along with handing out specially-commissioned Hitz rugby jerseys to the MPs present, produced by Gilbert, the official ball and rugby clothing partner of Premiership Rugby. Mary had also previously visited the project at work locally, at Redlees Park in Isleworth.
Mary said:
“Schemes like the Hitz programme are fantastic. Not only do they engage young people, but they have gone on to help them remain in education, undertake apprenticeships or enter paid employment - really turning lives around. In my constituency, it is initiatives like this which will boost the local economy, improve the job market and reduce crime.”