Particular learning points from the initiative have been as follows.
Participation
The project reached its objective of participation in the initiative of at least 50 young people. In total 103 young people started on the initiative and 58 completed. It was felt that some sort of follow-up with those who did not complete the programme would be of interest.
Programme
The programme was able to demonstrate that it had an immediate impact on participants’ health as well as being able to engage with disaffected young men. There were clear links with Curriculum for Excellence where the initiative enabled young people to become successful learners, confident individuals, responsible citizens and effective contributors.
Healthy lifestyle
The young people participating in the initiative said they had participated in the Healthy Lifestyle project at primary school before their involvement with the rugby initiative. Through this previous involvement they had been made aware of healthy lifestyles and this had been part of the reason for participating in rugby.
Crime diversion
One of the aims of the initiative was to divert young people away from crime and it was found that the rugby initiative had provided the young people with a healthy activity which kept them off the street and out of bother.
The use of rugby for the initiative has created the opportunity for young people to:
- raise their self-esteem
- build social skills
- develop healthy lifestyles
- work as a team
- develop relationships and friendships with people from other areas and schools.
Tackling sectarianism
This last point is important when looking at issues relating to sectarianism and religious intolerance. In January 2006 Scotland's First Minister, Jack McConnell, announced that Roman Catholic and non-denominational schools in Scotland are to be twinned in an attempt to tackle the country's sectarian divide.
The proposals were that denominational and non-denominational schools should come together for activities such as drama, sport and school trips. The outcome would be an increase in interaction between faith and non-faith schools and more co-operation in activities outside school hours.
'Sectarianism has damaged Scotland's reputation for far too long. It is time to stamp it out. This is a national effort, and we all have a part to play.'
First Minister Jack McConnell (January 2006)
The Healthy Lifestyle project had already been working in partnership with the Lanarkshire Global Education Centre, Sense Over Sectarianism and North Lanarkshire Council to plan and implement the Try2gether Religious Intolerance initiative.
This initiative included:
- a youth conference to challenge religious and racial intolerance, and stimulate discussion of sectarianism among local children
- the Community Youth Rugby Initiative to emphasise teamwork and co-operation
- a one-day visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau, which was organised by Coatbridge schools in conjunction with the Holocaust Education Trust. A memorial day was held at Rosehall after the trip.
