Chiefs have nominees at HITZ Awards

By Mark Stevens
25/9/18

Two inspiring individuals from Exeter Chiefs will enjoy time in the spotlight next month after being nominated for top prizes at the 2018 HITZ Awards.

HITZ is Premiership Rugby’s award-winning education and employability programme which, with the help of its funders Land Rover, Wooden Spoon and Comic Relief, works with more than 2,000 14-18 year olds across England every year.

Using rugby’s core values of teamwork, respect, enjoyment, discipline and sportsmanship, HITZ works to get young people not in education, training or employment (NEET) back into education, training, apprenticeships and/or employment, and is delivered nationally by England’s 13 professional rugby clubs.

And the time and commitment shown by 12 inspiring individuals will be celebrated on Wednesday, 17 October after they were shortlisted for the four prizes on offer at this year’s HITZ Awards, taking place at the BT Centre.

Exeter Chiefs have a stake in two of the four gongs on offer, with Aidan Seal nominated for the Academic Achiever Award, supported by Premiership Rugby, while Lewis Griffiths is in the running for the Champion Award, supported by Comic Relief.

Former World Cup winner and Land Rover ambassador Maggie Alphonsi said: “I have seen first-hand the impact the HITZ programme can and has had on young people’s lives.

“I can associate with many of the people involved in the programme; through their background but also the positive influence rugby can have in helping them overcome their personal challenges.

“Rugby is a powerful catalyst for good, offering these young people all manner of skills that can help equip them for life.

“The work Land Rover is doing to support the programme and the youngsters involved should be applauded. With its heritage in the sport; spanning over ten years in the UK, Land Rover’s understanding of rugby and its values make the partnership with HITZ a perfect combination for helping HITZ change young people’s lives.”

Prior to HITZ Aidan had left school, where he suffered greatly from bullying, with no qualifications. He spent all of his time on his computer, had no friends and his relationship with his family was not good. However, since joining HITZ, Aidan has become a lot more confident and is a leader of the group. He has gone from having no qualifications to achieving a Level 2 in Sport, English and Maths.

Meanwhile, Lewis’ difficult upbringing and the fact that rugby got him back on the right track, changing his life for the better, has given Lewis the extra drive to support every student to recognise and reach their potential.

His positive outlook and supportive nature furnishes the students with the confidence and belief to achieve their aspirations. He is passionate about the programme, cares about the students and gives them experiences they may not have previously had before.