HSBC And Prince’s Trust Tackle Youth Exclusion Through Rugby Coaching

HSBC and the Prince‘s Trust are working together on a project that will see disadvantaged young people involved in the Prince’s Trust Fairbridge programme benefit from exclusive rugby coaching sessions.

With four months to go before the start of the 2013 British & Irish Lions Tour to Australia; HSBC, the Principal Partner of The British & Irish Lions, and The Prince’s Trust are holding coaching days with rugby ambassadors for young people on the Fairbridge programme across the UK.

Last year HSBC announced a partnership with The Prince's Trust Fairbridge programme, donating £5 million over five years to support the most vulnerable young people in the UK. In partnership with HSBC, The Prince’s Trust aims to help thousands of 13 to 17 year olds who have either been excluded or are in danger of being excluded from school, back into main stream education, training and ultimately employment through the Fairbridge programme. Three out of four young people supported by The Prince's Trust re-enter education, employment or training.

The rugby training sessions aspire to help teach the core values of courage, discipline and respect associated with rugby to the young people attending. They are hosted by Dan Bloxham, a professional sports coach, and are supported by HSBC rugby ambassadors including former British & Irish Lion Jason Robinson and former dual-code Wales International Jonathan Davies. 

Tom Pavey, corporate partnerships manager for the Prince’s Trust said: “At The Prince’s Trust, we know that sport is a fantastic way to help young people boost their skills, confidence and motivation in preparation for work. Taking part in these coaching sessions with top rugby stars has been a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our young people and we’re incredibly grateful to HSBC for making it happen.”

Andrea de Vincentiis, Head of Rugby Sponsorship HSBC Holdings plc. added: “In this very important year for HSBC with our sponsorship of The British & Irish Lions, we are delighted to be able to work with the Prince’s Trust and bring to life our Lions sponsorship with these coaching sessions, as part of the Fairbridge programme. To be able to help support the grassroots of the sport using our association with the iconic touring side is very important to us.”