Taking Learnings into Delivery

This September marks the start of our latest round of delivery programmes across prisons and Youth Offender Institutions (YOIs). As we roll out these sessions, we’re drawing directly on the insights and momentum built during our summer training in August.

At the heart of that training was an intensive four-day rugby course at HMP Sudbury. For many of the men taking part, it was their first ever experience of rugby. On the morning of day one, some were tentative, uncertain, and holding a rugby ball awkwardly. By the end of the week, they engaged in a short contact game, complete with technical elements of the line-out and scrum.

The progress across those four days was striking. Rugby, more than a sport, became a vehicle for building resilience and connection. Participants developed teamwork, discipline, and autonomy, alongside the practical skills of tackling, passing, and game play. The sense of achievement went beyond the pitch offering a glimpse of what can be possible with perseverance and support.

The course was also a powerful learning experience for the new members of our team. They not only had the chance to observe best practice, but also stepped up into delivery roles themselves. Coaching sessions, managing drills, motivating individuals, and adapting in real time gave them invaluable hands-on experience. The confidence and knowledge they gained will shape the way they deliver programmes in the months ahead.

While there were certainly some tired bodies by the end of the course, the energy and commitment of both participants and our team was fantastic. It reminded us of the importance of pushing boundaries and raising expectations - on and off the field.

As we move into delivery this autumn, we’re excited to carry these learnings forward. Every session we deliver is an opportunity to apply what we’ve learned, refine our approach, and improve. With each step, we are working towards our goal of delivering meaningful, lasting change through sports-based mentoring.

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