February 2012
QBE kicks-off partnership with The Prince’s Trust
The business insurance specialist, QBE,
Premiership Rugby and The Prince’s Trust have teamed up to change
young lives through the Get Started with Rugby programme across
England.
As part of QBE’s commitment to develop rugby
at a grassroots level they are funding the Prince’s Trust Get
Started with Rugby Programme, to be delivered at eight of the
12 Premiership Rugby clubs.
Get Started with Rugby aims to tackle the very roots of social
disadvantage by offering 16-25 year olds furthest from the job
market the opportunity to increase their confidence, skills and
employability through using rugby as a vehicle for personal
development. The programme helps them overcome barriers preventing
them moving into work, education or training.
The programme offers a unique mix of high quality sport
provision, informal accredited learning and soft skills
development. It provides an opportunity for young people who are
unwilling, unready or unable to take part in a longer personal
development programme, or who may be unable to access such
opportunities locally. The programme culminates in a final
challenge or celebration such as a sports coaching session, when
the group brings together the skills they have learnt.
QBE and Premiership Rugby have been partners since October 2009
and the programme will be delivered through community departments
of Newcastle Falcons, Sale Sharks, Gloucester Rugby, Worcester
Warriors, Leicester Tigers, Northampton Saints, Saracens and London
Irish.
David Spruce, Operations Director, QBE European Operations, and
Chair of The QBE Foundation (Europe) said, "The QBE Foundation is
proud to support opportunities that allow individuals and groups to
live more independently, successfully and productively. By using
rugby to engage young people, The Get Started with Rugby initiative
will provide a unique experience for 16-25s by challenging their
perceptions of learning, teaching them new skills and encouraging
teamwork."
He continued,
We are delighted to be supporting the programme
in association with The Prince’s Trust and Premiership
Rugby.