Hitz Round-up - 2018/19
By Flo Eggins
27/09/2019
Gareth Williams, Hitz Officer at the Exeter Chiefs, has proclaimed the 2018/19 season as one of the most successful since the programme began.
Award-winning education and employability programme Hitz has celebrated its tenth anniversary over the 2018/19 season and has been delivered by the Exeter Chiefs Community team since 2014.
Hitz uses rugby's core values of teamwork, respect, enjoyment, discipline and sportsmanship to get young people who are not in education, training or employment (NEET) back into education, training, apprenticeship and/or employment.
Over the 2018/19 season, 29 learners have been part of the Hitz team, all of whom have now achieved qualifications in Maths and English, whilst completing their qualifications in Sports and Active Leisure or Employability Level 1 and 2. In addition, ten of the team have joined local rugby clubs and many others have noticed an improvement in their health and fitness since being a part of the programme.
For many of the Exeter learners, it is the first educational programme they have ever completed. Hitz member Josh Screech had been out of Education for five years and was experiencing difficulties with anger, but since joining the programme Josh has had the highest attendance in the team, completed all work given to him and gained some qualifications.
Similarly, Cameron Whitehead had struggled in mainstream education but has now gained Maths, English and Work Skills qualifications through the Hitz Programme, as well as undertaking cooking sessions at Taunton's Holiday Inn.
The achievements of the Exeter Hitz students have also been given national recognition, with student Aidan Seal winning the Academic Achiever Award at the 2018 Hitz Awards.
With the support of the Hitz programme, Aidan has passed exams in English, Maths, and Level 2 in Sport and Functional skills, as well as passing his driving test and joining both a gym and a rugby club.
Speaking about his Hitz experience, Aidan said: "Before Hitz I was at school, I didn't like it and I was bullied quite a lot. I went into the careers office and met Lewis, who got me into Hitz. My confidence has grown massively since starting the programme, I'm much more confident when talking to people."
"The lessons on the HITZ programme were good because they were made practical for you, rather than doing things with pen and paper."
As well as academic achievement, the Hitz team spend time improving their fitness and employability. A wide range of activities are on offer for the students and the team try to get off site including days out doing watersports in Cornwall, a day at Twickenham to watch the Gallagher Premiership final and other trips to Devon's countryside and coast.
The team have also had the chance to visit local businesses for insight and experience, for example the team worked with Phil Ireland of IREBuilds, who specialise in designing and building environmentally-conscious structures. This has given the team the opportunity to learn about sustainability in the construction trade.
The programme and the opportunites that are provided to the learners have enabled them to move into employment in many areas including construction, hospitality, retail and even starting their own businesses.
Gareth and the Hitz team are looking forward to another year of success stories, working with Exeter Chiefs and local business and charities. To find out more about getting involved please contact Gareth Williams