60 young people from across Northern Ireland will be participating in a scheme which sees The Prince's Trust join forces with Ulster Rugby to offer xl clubs the chance to benefit from a series of training sessions delivered by top rugby coaches.

The focus of this scheme, jointly developed by The Trust’s xl Programme Team and Ulster Rugby is to keep young people engaged in education through rugby, with participating pupils from each xl club receiving six training sessions, sports equipment and tickets to a match at Ravenhill to watch the professionals in action.

Ian Jeffers, Director of The Prince’s Trust for Northern Ireland said, “xl clubs provide a personal development programme aimed at young people aged 13-19 who may have experienced a number of difficulties in their educational life.

“Currently 91% of young people completing the xl programme progress to further education, employment or training. This is only possible with the support of the schools that run the programme and with partnerships such as this with Ulster Rugby which give our young people some focus and something to aspire to.”

At the end of each programme The Trust will help signpost any young people who wish to carry on playing rugby competitively, to their local rugby clubs.

Commenting on their partnership with The Prince’s Trust, Barry Willis, Community Rugby Manager at Ulster Rugby, said, “We were delighted to be asked for our support in helping to deliver such an important and successful programme for schools in Northern Ireland. We are delighted to be involved with The Prince’s Trust at Ulster Rugby and will always provide assistance to those who wish to create opportunities for young people.”

For further information please contact Catriona Couston on 02890758121 or email Catriona.couston@princes-trust.org.uk.

NOTES

The xl programme is aimed at young people aged 13 to 19 at risk of underachievement or exclusion from school. Using an informal approach to learning, Prince’s Trust xl clubs provide young people with the space and attention they need to develop confidence as well as to form a sense of ownership over their work and own development.

With the emphasis on youth-led learning, this is a programme designed and led by young people themselves. The young people work together as a team to deliver enterprise and community projects, developing a culture of mutual respect and co-operation.

The average cost of excluding a young person from education is estimated at £15,000 while xl costs on average £250 per young person over two years and is proven to work in tackling truancy and underachievement.

Ulster Rugby supports The Prince's Trust xl Programme

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