Double success for Exeter Chiefs at annual HITZ Awards
By Mark Stevens
23/11/22
Two inspirational role models from Exeter Chiefs were amongst the four winners honoured at the annual HITZ Awards on Wednesday night.
Always a highlight of the Premiership Rugby calendar, the achievements of 12 outstanding individuals were recognised at the emotional ceremony hosted by former England and London Irish Winger Topsy Ojo and attended by Professional players and community staff from across the Premiership.
On the night, Exeter Chiefs’ Kaci Leworthy was presented with the Physical Activity Award, supported by East Head Impact.
Kaci was rewarded for her progress and development in sport and physical activity. Kaci hasn’t let living with Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome hold her back. Whilst a lack of support and understanding left Kaci frustrated at school, she flourished in the inclusive environment of HITZ. This is where she identified a clear passion for sport. Through playing rugby, she made new friends and learnt social skills that improved her mental wellbeing. By focusing on her physical training, including going to the gym six times a week, Kaci was confident enough to join the Topsham RFC Ladies team.
HITZ provided a safe space where Kaci, in her own words, ‘feels comfortable and part of a community’. She now talks openly about her feelings and emotions which has helped her avoid slipping into previous bouts of depression. By surrounding herself with the HITZ family, her own family believe she feels listened to, understood and valued.
Now fearless in her rugby and committed to her fitness goals, Kaci now has aspirations to be a PE teacher so she can inspire the next generation of young women.
Kaci said: "Winning this award means a lot, I feel I have achieved something and I've taken another stepping stone in life. HITZ is amazing, it's like a second family. I can't wait to go home and show all my friends and family my award."
Also celebrating on the night was Andy Bassett, who took home the Champion Award, supported by CVC.
Andy’s award was in recognition for him going above and beyond the call of duty to support HITZ Participants at Chiefs. For the last three years, Andy has offered career pathways, job prospects and helped secure employment for young people on the HITZ programme
However, his unique empathetic nature led to him becoming more involved. By simply listening, engaging and identifying ways to allow individuals to flourish he has quite literally changed lives. On top of this is Andy’s commitment to the wellbeing of the students he works with.
For example, Andy makes sandwiches and brings in fruit every Monday to ensure learners eat well and feel looked after. He was also instrumental in orchestrating a rugby kit and boot donation scheme that not only provided enough kit for Chiefs’ HITZ students, it generated spare boots that were sent to other HITZ programmes around the country.
Andy said: "It's amazing to have won this award tonight. I'm both shocked and elated! We don't do what we do for recognition, so it means a lot. HITZ is totally different to mainstream education. The teaching methods are different and how the programme works to understand all young students who join is unique, we say to everyone that walks through the door you are part of the HITZ family now."
Also shortlisted for the Young Achiever Award - Ryan Laffin. Ryan was recognised for the progress he has made in overcoming challenges which once held him back. After navigating his way through a volatile time in care for the previous 10 years Ryan struggled with education.
Exclusion at school and severe learning difficulties proved detrimental to his life chances. Once at HITZ he started to engage, improve social interactions and was able to regulate his anxiety to get back on a road to independence whilst volunteering in the community.
Exeter Chiefs and England prop, Ben Moon, who was amongst guests celebrating this evening, added: "Huge congratulations to Kaci, Andy and Ryan. HITZ works because as well as supporting young people to gain qualifications it teaches them to respect themselves and others. I believe rugby can give you the confidence to be yourself. It is a fantastic vehicle to channel education through and our rugby family, with the support of volunteers like Andy, gives these young people a sense of belonging and hope for the future. Tonight has been incredibly special."
HITZ is Premiership Rugby’s flagship education and employability programme, supporting young people to make positive changes in their life. Working with more than 2,000 14-24 year-olds across England every year, the programme uses rugby’s core values to develop the personal, life and employability skills of young people not in education, employment or training. Supported by CVC, Wooden Spoon and East Head Impact, with Central YMCA as our Official Education Provider, HITZ is delivered nationally by Premiership Rugby’s 13 shareholder clubs and has supported over 21,000 young people since it started in 2008.