Worcester Warriors’ Chelsea Parker is one of six trail-blazing individuals who have been crowned a Regional winner for Young Achiever of the Year ahead of the Premiership Rugby Parliamentary Community Awards.
Premiership Rugby’s Young Achiever Award – selected from the shortlist below, will be one of the highlights of the evening and will honour young participants who have ‘made the most’ from initiatives such as Aviva Tackling Numbers, HITZ, On The Front Foot, Rugby 4 All, Something To Chew On, Move Like A Pro, and Urban Rugby Squad.
Chelsea started the HITZ programme at Worcester Warriors in October 2015 as a very closed-off and anxious girl having struggled with school life, home life and her own inner demons that affected her mental state and self-confidence.
Chelsea spiralled out of control in Year 10 when she was bullied due to her size and ability to do work to a standard that others didn’t find acceptable. Chelsea’s mind-set led her to feel paranoid about her weight and the trial of drugs began the escape of reality and pains that came from dealing with these problems.
Chelsea felt like no one listened to her and understood the issues she was facing from school, which led to violent outbursts and an addiction to class A drugs.
Chelsea was at the end of the line, she could have potentially lost her family, health and support network if she didn’t choose to follow the right path with the right support.
Since being on the HITZ programme, Chelsea has overcome so many personal hurdles. Her behaviour has changed dramatically, she feels happier and is in a safer place due to the HITZ programme.
She has also chosen to pursue a Level 2 programme with HITZ and is also looking at part-time work at Warriors, in which she feels safe and knows the surroundings.
Chelsea is known as an inspiration to a lot of the other HITZ learners and is mature in her approach in helping others face their fears and choose the right path.
Premiership Rugby will crown their overall winner in the Young Achiever of the Year category at its Parliamentary Community Awards evening at the House of Commons on 7 July, from the shortlist below.
The judging panel for the Young Achiever of the Year award chaired by Lydia Good, BREAKTHRU – Development Manager, Premiership Rugby included Elizabeth Tydeman, Public Health England, Emily Cramp, The Movember Foundation, Olly Dawson, Comic Relief and Tom Harrison, Jubilee Centre for Character and Virtues at the University of Birmingham.
Regional winners shortlisted for Young Achiever of the Year are:
Jordan Wickens – Bath Rugby
Aaron George – Gloucester Rugby
Emilie Gabriel – Harlequins
Cameron Healey – Sale Sharks
Michael Kennedy – Saracens
Chelsea Parker – Worcester Warriors
Having been part of the judging panel that has to pick a winner, Movember Foundation Brand and Communications Consultant Emily Cramp admitted she was taken aback by how much of an impact was made by Premiership Rugby’s community programmes.
“This was an incredible award to try and judge, and the nominations from each and every club were worthy winners,” she said.
“It really was truly inspiring reading all these stories and the impact that the initiatives championed by Premiership Rugby are having on a national level.
“Each application told a unique story, and each nominee had overcome the issues they were facing through courage and commitment.”
All of the Regional winners and their guests are invited to attend the glittering awards ceremony at the House of Commons on Thursday 7 July.