Monday 8 March
17.00hrs
Representatives from Avon Fire & Rescue Service (AF&RS)
have collected a parliamentary award for their part in a youth
engagement project run by Bristol Rugby.
The Phoenix Project was set up by the club in 2007 to use rugby
as a method of engaging with young people with the aim of reducing
antisocial behaviour, including hoax calls and arson.
And last week the Bright Sparks programme was recognised at the
Parliamentary Rugby Union Citizenship Awards, winning both the
Social Inclusion Programme and the overall Community Initiative of
the Year awards.
The Bright Sparks Programme takes place at designated secondary
schools to address the link between persistent absence, exclusion
from mainstream education and antisocial behaviour.
Judges from the all party group praised the scheme which they
said emphasises the effects lifestyle choices can have in the
future for young people.
Derek Wyatt MP, Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group
said: "This is the most sensational programme. It focuses on youth
crime and antisocial behaviour, which are two very tricky areas to
tackle. Their aims and objectives are really clear, well thought
through and very targeted. It’s a very clean and simple programme,
which is producing results. Bristol Rugby is solving something that
we can’t do as a government, nor can local education
authorities."
As a result of winning the overall award, the scheme will now be
considered for the international Beyond Sport Awards which take
place in Chicago.