Rugby enthusiast, Sammy, aged 18, from Cogenhoe has been helped through tragic family loses by the sport he grew up watching, but never played, until last year. The young Northampton Saints superfan who attends every home game at cinch Stadium at Franklin Gardens, picked up a rugby ball for the first time as part of the Premiership Rugby Project Rugby community programme. Delivered in partnership with the Northampton Saints Community Department the programme has helped Sammy have a more positive outlook.
After battling some of the hardest moments in his life to date, losing both his grandfathers within a month, Sammy describes playing rugby as ‘Giving me a massive lift’. He was encouraged to participate in Project Rugby sessions as part of the physical section of his Duke of Edinburgh award, which he undertook as a student at The Bee Hive, a vocational sixth form college for special educational needs.
Talking of his experience of the Project Rugby programme Sammy says, “I didn’t consider the playing side of rugby until the Duke of Edinburgh awards and now I have a passion for playing, as well as watching, as it’s helped me a lot and it’s really fun doing it with friends. We’re trying to get fitter, and we’ve got a gym in The Bee Hive so I’ve been going there in my own time too. Rugby should be available for everybody and playing in the Project Rugby Festival was a great experience.”
Premiership Rugby deliver the Project Rugby programme, which supported Sammy through his grief, in conjunction with title partner Gallagher UK and the RFU. With a specific focus on engaging participants from traditionally underrepresented groups, no matter their background or ability. Project Rugby facilitates sessions that are easily accessible within local communities thanks to coaches and volunteers from Premiership Rugby clubs and Club Foundations across the nation. The aim of Project Rugby is to increase participation, inclusivity, and diversity in the sport through the six-week programme which introduces rugby to novices harnessing rugby’s core values of teamwork, respect, enjoyment, discipline, and sportsmanship.
Since its inception in 2017, over 100,000 people have participated in Project Rugby sessions held at over 200 different locations across England. Luke Brennan, a teacher at The Bee Hive college, has witnessed the change in Sammy first hand, he says: “I’ve seen Sammy’s confidence grow massively, it’s had a really good effect on him. He’s had some hard times but rugby and the positives that have come out of it have been a saviour for Sammy. He’s encouraging to others when we play, and when we’re in the gym, he’s always the one telling everyone we’ve got one more loop to go.”
Georgia Price-Hunt, Head of Sales, Global Cyber Risk Management at Gallagher said: “It is brilliant to see just how much Project Rugby has helped Sammy pursue his passion for rugby and to help him navigate incredibly tough circumstances.
“Sammy’s story is inspiring and demonstrates the importance of giving young people opportunities to get involved in the sport, make friends and develop new skills. Gallagher is very proud of Project Rugby, it is a great initiative that is actively supporting and encouraging young people across the UK.”
On completion of the Project Rugby programme coaches support participants to seek out local grassroots teams helping them to continue to reap the benefits of playing rugby regularly. For Sammy he hopes to continue playing beyond The Bee Hive, with opportunities presenting themselves at Saints' partner club the Northampton Outlaws.
