Newcastle Rugby Foundation recently hosted a roundtable discussion alongside North East Times, Jesmond Dene Real Tennis Club and event sponsors Barnard Castle School, looking at the current barriers that young people face and how they can harness the power of sport to improve skills, confidence and resilience.

The panel was made up of education leaders and industry figures from the North East, with the discussion focusing on the current education system and its need to shift its focus from standardised testing to the development of character, communication and problem-solving skills.

The panel agreed that many young people, especially in disadvantaged areas, face barriers to skilled trades due to academic requirements, worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic, and that the collaboration between educators and employers is crucial, offering practical support such as apprenticeships and tailored recruitment processes.

Sport can play a significant role in building resilience, teamwork and confidence, with potential for broader application in reaching more young people. There’s a call for educational reform to prioritise character development, encourage resilience, and integrate business and education to support youth growth.

The Rugby + Futures programme seeks to break these barriers that young people across the region currently face. The programme is designed to meet the needs of young people in various stages of life, including those not in employment, education or training, or economically inactive.

The initiative aims to equip participants with essential personal characteristics such as self-awareness, communication, resilience and emotional intelligence, which are crucial for success in any area of life.

Tony Underwood, former England and Newcastle Falcons player and pioneer of the Rugby+ Futures programme, said: “Sport is one way of building resilience because you’re constantly slaving to score but very regularly don’t. Anything that brings people together and provides the ability for them to try things and build resilience is only a positive.”

Newcastle Rugby Foundation would like to say thank you to all individuals and organisations that participated in the roundtable discussion.

If you would like to find out more about the Rugby+ Futures programme or ways to get involved and drive the project forward, please email Jake Vandervelde on Jake.Vandervelde@newcastle-falcons.co.uk .