A pioneering early intervention programme, delivered through the power of rugby, has engaged more than 1000 schoolchildren across Wirral.
Schoolchildren from 12 Wirral schools took part in a rugby competition yesterday (Thursday 4 May), to see who would lift the coveted winners’ trophy.
St Michael and All Angels Catholic Primary School beat West Kirby Primary in the competitive final match, which took place at Birkenhead Rugby Club.
Due to the success of the prevention programme, it will now be extended to reach even more at-risk youngsters in Merseyside.
Merseyside Police launched ‘Rugby Beats Robbery’ in 2022 and teamed up with the Sale Sharks Foundation, Birkenhead Park Rugby Club and Wirral School Games to pilot the initiative across Wirral, targeting at-risk students from hard-to-reach catchment areas.
Since its launch, the programme has engaged with more than 1000 young people from the Woodchurch and Hilbre areas and has led to player participation in under 12s increasing by 40%.
The programme – funded by Project Medusa, Merseyside Police’s dedicated team to tackling County Lines and criminal gangs – aims to prevent crime through early intervention and introducing children to an alternative hobby.
The number of children caught up in crime is at a historical low – falling by 81 percent since 2010. Research shows 80 per cent of prolific adult offenders started on their path of crime as children, which shows why programmes like this are absolutely vital.
One of the best ways to keep young people on the right path is to give them the skills to succeed in life – something sports schemes can provide, building young people’s resilience, self-confidence and discipline while engaging in a fun activity.
The programme has been developed by Schools Partnership Officer, Constable William Hughes, who is passionate about the power of rugby and the positive behaviours it can bring.
Primary and secondary school students on the programme engaged in outdoor rugby, a series of mental health and wellbeing sessions and interactive lessons from officers about topics such as County Lines, antisocial behaviour, and criminal exploitation.
The extension of the programme will see the introduction of a sports programme for girls, summer rugby camps, additional tournaments for years three and eight and more collaboration between the Force’s Mini Pathfinders initiative, which is targeted at children aged 10-11 in areas where there is social and economic deprivation and high crime rates.
Schools Partnership Officer, Constable William Hughes said: “Sport is a powerful way to support local communities and this initiative has shown the real impact it can have in a short space of time.
“Rugby Beats Robbery has engaged more than 1000 young people within six months and has provided participants with new skills to succeed in life.
“Many of the young people involved have spoken about their newfound passion for rugby which they are continuing with beyond this programme. More importantly, the programme has instilled discipline, self-confidence, and resilience and helped steer the youngsters away from crime and antisocial behaviour.”
Peter Cucci, Rugby Development Officer at Birkenhead Park said: “The programme has been brilliant from the view of myself and Birkenhead Park FC. It is well organised, structured with a clear objective and hopefully lasting results. It is brilliant to see so many young people participating in, and clearly loving rugby.
“It gives them all a new opportunity and pathway to find a sport to occupy them and keep away from other temptations. Rugby has clear benefits and structure – being part of a team, respecting teammates and others, including opposition, officials and ultimately themselves.”
