Organised by Chew Valley Rugby Club Football LimitedOur mission is, through the sport of rugby, to make a material difference in the lives of young people who are suffering or have suffered adverse childhood experiences, poverty or mental health issues.
The STAR Scheme (Support, Transform and Achieve through Rugby) provides children who have had multiple adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) with supported access to local junior rugby clubs.
ACEs can include but are not limited to poverty, domestic abuse, family breakdown, exposure to drug abuse, poor housing etc. Research shows multiple ACEs can change the developing brain resulting in long term life challenges and that children in these categories are statistically more likely to experience poor mental and physical health, commit suicide, abuse drugs, get involved in crime etc etc. However, research also shows that this impact can be reversed with various interventions including physical activity, being part of a team and community, having consistent access to a role model all of which is provided by junior rugby clubs week in week out.
The Scheme provides children with transport, kit, subs, food, tour costs, coaching for the coaches, a support network within the clubs to welcome the families joining and a liaison person who works with the children and their families and creates measurable personal development plans with them. The pilot with 20 children was so impactful the deputy head of the school in Hartcliffe has resigned to work full time to roll out the scheme and we now have 14 clubs in Bristol, Somerset and Worcester taking it on with support from Bristol Bears and Worcester Warriors community foundations. The RFU Growth Partnership team described it as the most exciting initiative to cross their desks.The coaches and officials of junior rugby clubs perform miracles with young people every season, and yet despite that, there is currently no formal scheme to identify young people with poor mental or emotional wellbeing and/or who are financially disadvantaged and provide them with supported access to the sport of rugby.
Please take time to watch the video below.. it sums everything up!
The scheme's roll out to more children is now only limited by funds so please support as much as you can.
Here are some quotes from parents of the children involved:
Before starting the Scheme, home life was difficult with C, as his behaviour was really bad: running away from home and fighting. He got kicked out of school and had a bad attitude, and L was just in the house all the time on his computer. They have both changed. Cs behaviour at home and school has changed so much. Home life is easier to cope with. The STAR Scheme has helped our family so much, nothing is too much trouble. Our questions are always answered and the boys absolutely love it. We are all so thankful to Chew Valley Rugby Club."
The confidence that has started to emerge from my three boys is exponential. They began to believe in their own abilities again and from that, started to become better people on and off the pitch. School behaviour and attendance has also improved, along with their overall fitness. Two of my boys are now also training with the Bears Academy and they are going from strength to strength.
Please email info@starscheme.co.uk if you need more information, would like to get involved, or are interested in rolling this out in your area.
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