Rugby club helps pupils feel 'sense of belonging'
BBCA rugby club is working with schools to help pupils improve their communication skills and motivation.
The Bristol Bears Foundation has created a partnership with the city's Cabot Learning Federation to try to inspire students through daily workshops.
One of the schools involved is the City Academy in Redfield, where pupils have been given the chance to learn as they play rugby.
Theresa Bickell, secondary school coordinator for Bear in Mind, said rugby had helped her find a "family". She added: "I think that's the key thing here, that sense of belonging."
Focused on helping pupils who might struggle to engage with everyday school, the initiative encompasses different programmes run by the Bristol Bears Foundation - both on and off the pitch.
This includes the Bright Sparks scheme, which helps young people living in some of the most deprived areas of the city, and Bear in Mind, which focuses on helping 14-16-year-old girls navigate challenges they may face.
Harry Randall, Bristol Bears and England scrum-half, said the sport "gives you that drive to work together, that teamwork, that communication".
"It brings out those kinds of characteristics in people which is brilliant and it can help them in all areas of life, not just rugby and sport," he added.
Mariam, one of the pupils involved in the scheme, said: "You need to be able to try out everything because you never know what's going to come your way.
"It's better to be more prepared instead of just sitting in a class, not really socialising - meeting new people, learning social skills, it brings up your confidence as well which is great for the future."
Fellow pupil Alethea added: "It's good to be able to communicate because in jobs and interviews when you're older you need to be able to talk about things you're interested in."
The scheme will involve a member of Bristol Bears Foundation staff working at City Academy five days a week to mentor students and run the schemes.
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