Inspirations nominated
A young star and a role model from Bath are set have their achievements recognised at the HITZ Awards 2021.
HITZ is Premiership Rugby’s flagship education and employability programme, working with over 2,000 14-to-23-year-olds across England every year with the support of the CVC Foundation, Wooden Spoon and SCL Education Group.
The programme is delivered nationally by England rugby clubs including Bath Rugby and uses rugby’s core values of teamwork, respect, enjoyment, discipline and sportsmanship, to support young people not in education, training or employment (NEET) back into education, training, apprenticeships and/or employment.
The annual HITZ awards, taking place next Wednesday, recognise and reward the outstanding progress and work by those on the programme. These inspirational people have been nominated in two separate categories.
Graham Binns is shortlisted for the HITZ Champion Award which recognises special individuals who go above and beyond the call of duty to support HITZ Participants
Now retired, Binns supports participants with their reading and writing in addition to working through their emotional needs. His ‘Not Giving Up’ session received a standing ovation after he shared his own life challenges.
He also supports those on the programme create job applications and provides CV advice and interview tips. Coupled with all of this is Graham’s ability to see when students are not OK, taking them aside to listen, coach and help them make a plan to overcome their biggest hurdles.
Megan Barron is shortlisted for the Academic Achievement Awards which recognises academic progress which young people have made since joining the programme.
Megan had been left frustrated and angry with education, feeling like she was treated unfairly because of her ADHD and her dreams of university dampened. Fast forward to today, Megan has grown in confidence thanks to HITZ, passing a Sports Coaching qualification as well as GCSES in maths and English before securing a scholarship to attend University in Boston.
Wayne Morris, Premiership community and corporate responsibility director, said: “It was an incredibly strong pool of applications; it was a very lengthy debate between the judges to be able to narrow it down to the shortlists and our eventual winners.
“Through HITZ, both found the sport that we all love. They have embraced the core values of rugby - they are an embodiment of how rugby can change lives for the better.”
HITZ is delivered nationally by Premiership Rugby’s 13 shareholder clubs and has supported nearly 20,000 young people since it started in 2008.
❝ They have embraced the core values of rugby - they are an embodiment of how rugby can change lives for the better.