HITZ youngster up for top award

A teenager from the Exeter Chiefs HITZ programme has been shortlisted for a prestigious national award.

Govinda Kay is one of the eight finalists for the HITZ Best Rugby Performer Award supported by Premiership Rugby that will be presented at the HITZ Awards on February 4.

HITZ Best Rugby Performer recognises a young person for their progress and development in the sport of rugby – on and off the pitch. It rewards progress in physical fitness and skill. It also looks at the core values of rugby have supported them to overcome a range of challenges and progress on their journey back to education, training or employment.

Gareth Williams the HITZ officer at Exeter Chiefs said, “After leaving school early to give birth to her daughter, Govinda found it hard to spend more than 15 minutes playing sport at a time.

“Since joining the HITZ programme she has fallen in love with rugby and now spends up to seven and a half hours a week playing it. She is still on the programme and has linked up with Topsham Ladies RFC. HITZ has given her much more confidence and helped Govinda in her ambitions of getting a full-time job in the future.”

The multi award-winning HITZ programme uses rugby to increase young people's resilience, self-reliance and confidence and gives them the skills to get back into education, apprenticeships and employment.

As a national HITZ partner, Premiership Rugby is supporting the Best Rugby Performer Award.

“When I joined Premiership Rugby, I was made aware of the HITZ programme and was inspired by not only the programme itself but everyone involved with it.” said Premiership Rugby Head of Rugby Operations Corin Palmer.

“For kids that have not necessarily had the same opportunities, or taken a different path, for whatever reason, the HITZ programme offers them a chance to really achieve something for themselves through rugby. The effort put in by each one of them and achievement gained as a consequence is truly inspirational, they are real winners.”

HITZ Awards – Best Rugby Performer shortlist

• Daniel O’Connor – Harlequins
• Louis Lott – Leicester Tigers
• Danyel Chapman – Sale Sharks
• George Brand – Worcester Warriors
• Govinda Kay – Exeter Chiefs
• Antony Morris – Sale Sharks
• Anton Smith – Bath Rugby
• Jordan Wickens – Bath Rugby

The award-winning HITZ programme tackles some of the greatest challenges facing young people today – unemployment, crime and disillusionment. Delivered nationally by Premiership Rugby and funded by national partners Barclays, Comic Relief, Land Rover and Wooden Spoon, HITZ uses rugby to increase young people's resilience, self-reliance and confidence. It gives them the skills to get back into education, vocational training, apprenticeships and employment. Please visit www.hitzrugby.com to find out more.