Warriors launch year two of Premiership Rugby’s Urban Rugby Squad 

Warriors youngsters are raring to go and they’re already maximising their vast potential as Premiership Rugby’s Urban Rugby Squad programme launches year two. 

The Urban Rugby Squad is a ground-breaking initiative run by Premiership Rugby and its clubs, helping 1,000 young people aged 14-16 from disadvantaged communities across England.

In its first year, the scheme helped 778 young people and delivered 136 personal development workshops on topics such as anger management and sexual health.

Warriors’ programme involves free rugby at a handful of community sites, and Community Coach Simon Northcott conducts four, two-hour weekly sessions with each of them as he tries to impact their lives. 

Warriors HITZ & Social Inclusion Manager Stuart Brooks said: “The Urban Rugby Squad is a great programme that has been able to break down barriers in hard-to-reach communities. 

“The fact we can help improve the lives of disillusioned young people through rugby is fantastic and it is extremely rewarding when you see how much their lives have changed for the better.” 

Year two of Urban Rugby Squad is run in partnership with BT Sport’s The Supporters Club, the broadcaster’s initiative that aims to build a better world through sport, and Restart Rugby, the Official Charity of The Rugby Players’ Association (RPA). 

Simon Green, Head of BT Sport, said: “The year two launch marks a deepening of the excellent relationship between BT and Premiership Rugby. Together, we have not only grown the game of rugby but through Urban Rugby Squad, we are tapping into the special power of sport to help youngsters use rugby to better their lives.”

The clubs will come together in August for a club festival where an Urban Rugby Squad will be selected to represent each Premiership Rugby side, culminating in a National Festival in Coventry, to be held in the autumn.

For more information about Urban Rugby Squad run in partnership with BT Sport’s The Supporters Club and Restart Rugby including how to get involved, please visit premiershiprugby.com/UrbanRugbySquad and join the conversation #RugbyChangingLives


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