Inverness-based Highland Rugby Club wins praise from Highland Council for work off the pitch
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Highland councillors praised Highland Rugby Club's contributions to the lives of care-experienced young people and other vulnerable people.
During a presentation to the council’s care, learning and housing committee, the club's development officer Iain Chisholm outlined its work with young people and local communities and explained that "90 per cent of rugby has nothing to do with rugby".
Mr Chisholm described how their worked focused on the health and wellbeing, mental health, employability and education of young people in care and those who are in vulnerable groups.
The Inverness-based club’s Gain-Line scheme helps school leavers and people in care on a 12-week programme based on personal development, covering performance, coaching, nutrition, strength and conditioning, community development and workplace experience.
Mr Chisholm said: “This work is all about mental health and wellbeing issues which are something that we want to battle and to make young people more resilient.”
Among the club’s other initiatives, Schools of Rugby are currently being delivered at Culloden and Charleston academies and Glenurquhart and Kingussie high schools.
A community coaching programme aimed at students is also being created in partnership with Inverness College UHI which aims to stop the so-called brain drain happening in the Highlands and provide lifestyle reasons for young people to continue further education in the region and not move away.
Community camps are also offered – with two coming up in the next couple of weeks – where people can try the sport.
The club’s Just Play Programme addresses how the gap is bridged between lack of activity and getting children playing outdoors, away from social media, and preventing the uptake of crime and drugs. It is available to all schools and clubs.
Committee chairman John Finlayson said: “As someone who has played sport throughout my early years, I fully understand and welcome getting more young people into their health and wellbeing and into a variety of sporting activities across their life."
Vice chairwoman Linda Munro added: “Iain’s commitment passion and enthusiasm is clear.
"Young people on the edge of offending get there for a reason – they don’t feel good about themselves or things are not going well at home for them.
"For young people that come into care the odds are against them – for them and every young person to be part of a team with friendship, being taught positive life skills – it’s part of their rite of passage and I am glad that 90 per cent of rugby has nothing to do with rugby.
"A huge thank you to Highland Rugby Club for their support and enthusiasm for our young people.”
Related articles:
- Inverness College UHI and Highland Rugby Club sign agreement to work together to encourage young people to stay in the region
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