School of Hard Knocks
Last updated: 7th July 2008
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A ground-breaking rugby training initiative has helped 15 men in Liverpool find employment, and will be screened in a new six-part series beginning on Thursday night's Rugby Club, presented by Austin Healey.
The participants, who had never before touched a rugby ball, embarked on an intensive 16-week scheme in conjunction with the Sale Sharks, with the aim of increasing their employability through sport.
At the end of the scheme, two thirds of those involved were employed; including five who joined the armed forces. The final five are now actively seeking employment.
Sale Sharks and locally-based company Creative Training coached them in not only team-building and nutritional techniques, but also interview and presentation skills.
The attendees also participated in a training scheme with Sale players including Luke McAllister, Ben Evans and Sililo Martens before their final challenge: a match against the Army's 2nd Lancastrian regiment.
'School of Hard Knocks' coach, Chris Chudleigh, said: "It has been extremely rewarding watching the development of each and every one of the participants in this scheme. The skills learnt on the pitch are easily transferable and I'm sure The Rugby Club viewers will agree there are huge differences in the men before and after they began the scheme - they are now confident, motivated, enthusiastic men who take a real pride in themselves."
Austin Healey, former England and British Lions international, said: "I really believe that by integrating sport into your lifestyle, a person can learn life-skills that help in whatever you take on. Watching the guys grow, not only as players but off the field as well, has been a fantastic experience to be part of."
Watch the 15 men's progress at the School of Hard Knocks each week on the Rugby Club.
| LESSON | DESCRIPTION | LINK |
| CATCH-UP | We catch up with the lads. Have their lives changed? | CLICK HERE |
| SIX | The big match finally arrives. How will the lads fare? | CLICK HERE |
| FIVE | A pep talk from the Sharks | CLICK HERE |
| FOUR | Army training and some beach rugby | CLICK HERE |
| THREE | A new face joins the team | CLICK HERE |
| TWO | A spot of anger management and a visit to Sale | CLICK HERE |
| ONE | The lads' first experience of rugby | CLICK HERE |
| INTRO | Austin sets out the School timetable | CLICK HERE |
- Video
Comments
John Smitton says...
am john i was 1 of the lads on the school of hard knocks i felt we got the best out of the programe and it helped most of us back into work and intrested in an new sport none of us thoght we would play its a shame it had to end there it wud of been even better if we could get the lads back together and play again it will be intrestin to watch the new school of hard knocks when it comes on or hopfully be involed in some way wud like to say a big thanks to chris and ken and austin for what use made us achive THANK YOU!
Posted 17:42 7th October 2008
Lee-ann Doubell says...
Fantastic. Its an excellent idea. Keep up the good work lads.
Posted 13:12 10th July 2008
David Rogers says...
What a great piece of viewing, I would like to congratulate all the lads on a fantastic effort, and its great to see clubs bringing in such initiatives. I loved every second of it, How far rugby could go in this country if every club took up this baton with youngsters. Austin Healey a.k.a the leicester lip done him self proud. Well done austin and well done lads. All the best
Posted 12:33 7th July 2008
Peter Graham says...
Agree with GT above - Premier league clubs should take this idea up - 20 guys per season? - in theory it wouldn't really cost anything - but would change lives? This high publicity exposure would then filter down through the levels of clubs. A great series with a real result. I recall the same stuff from my playing days - if you could get even the roughest lads along to the club, once they started to play at the lowest level, they stayed & usually progressed in all things. Simon Weston's Charity "The Weston Spirit" does similar things in a different way.
Posted 11:51 7th July 2008
Christina Harris says...
School of Hard Knocks was one of the most positive programmes i have watched for a long time. It made compelling viewing and I would like to congratulate all those who participated. I sincerely wish them well in their future lives.Austin Healey and the team are also to be commended for their commitment to the success of the initiative. Surely given the positive outcomes there will be more opportunities across the country for Schools of Hard Knocks or shall we say Schools for Second Chances?
Posted 20:48 6th July 2008
Brad Witt says...
What a fantastic scheme which was very well covered in the program. Its good to see such a great sport having a direct positive effect on peoples lives. Good luck to them all and lets see more innovative ways to improve peoples lives.
Posted 15:35 6th July 2008
Keith Strowger says...
This programme was inspirational and ought to be pursued with vigour by other clubs in every part of the country. It just goes to show that with the right kind of leadership many young men can achieve a purpose previously lacking in their lives
Posted 12:29 6th July 2008
Jim Duff says...
Just watched a repeat of this program as I missed it first time round and as a season ticket holder of sale can I say how proud I am to be involved even as a spectator/supporter at sale. I hope they continue to give support to such worthy projects in the future. Well done sale.
Posted 12:29 6th July 2008
Kate Sanderson says...
Well I am not sure where I have been to have missed this so far but caught Austin and the gang doing their thing last night. It was one of the most thought provoking programmes I have seen for a very very long time. Surely we must be able to expand this initiative. Without wishing to get too unrealistic about it surely this has given a sense of what is missing in the country particularly the inner cities and surely the wider rugby community with every thing that is so good and supportive about it can do just a little bit of good where there is clearly a sense of team purpose for youngsters today. Clearly there are far wider political and social issues but I have the absolute highest praise and regard for all those who took the first step...please please please do not lose the momentum. Please do not just see this as good telly - but be brave and keep going.Very little else appears to be working for disaffected youth and it is such a great waste of potential talent and lives. Use your contacts and get rugby onto the state school curriculum - it won't happen overnight but please keep trying. I am not naiive enough to believe that this is the answer to all of the worlds problems but I do believe that the focus and spirit of the game that I have grown up with through my late father, husband and now son has to be worth promoting. How about doing a second series based inner city London.... Go on.... it would be absolutely fantastic.... Kate
Posted 10:33 6th July 2008
Mally Koo says...
Excellent idea, hopefully other Liverpool unemployed youths can join local rugby teams and emulate the success of school of hardknocks. If anybody wants to know the address of local Liverpool clubs feel free to contact me, and I will forward on the address of clubs closest to their specific homes. I myself have played rugby for 30 years and have really enjoyed it. rugby has given me respect of people and integrity and the importance of team work. Plus it acts as a vehicle for networking with fellow players leading to job opportunities.
Posted 15:21 5th July 2008
Tony Wainwright says...
This has been a superb example of what sport can do. I think that this works on four levels for the lads. 1. Fitness. It is amazing the difference that being fit can have psychologically on your attitude to life. Being fit gives you extra energy and encourages you to get up and do something rather than loaf around all day. 2. Self esteem, A lot of the lads were clearly suffering from low self esteem. They learned that they can be good at something. 3. Teamwork. The social situation of the lads taught them to be selfish and only look after number one. The team ethic made them feel like they belong and could rely on other people, especially good for those joining the forces where that ethic is paramount. 4. Socially. Rugby is a superb sport for widening your social circle. Opportunities arrive to broaden your horizons, even if it just a local club tour in Europe. Congratulations to all involved. Finally, are there any plans to expand this idea?
Posted 14:17 5th July 2008
Rod Cope says...
Firstly, I find it hard to believe this is the first post. But then I might not have done this if she had not deleted last weeks Rugby Club and I had to watch it on-line. Secondly, good luck to them. As someone who works with young adults I am certain Rugby can be a real opportunity for people to advance themselves. Thirdly, will we see more?
Posted 20:28 2nd April 2008
Graham Turnbull says...
It would be nice if all the Premiership clubs backed such projects in their areas. Well done to all who gave their time
Posted 14:01 2nd April 2008
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