A Newcastle College student and her tutor were named as winners at last week’s Premiership Rugby awards.
Level 2 Sports student Katie Bolton and Sports Tutor Kevin Esther travelled to Twickenham for the annual celebration of young learners, mentors and supportive businesses involved in the award-winning Premiership Rugby HITZ education and employment programme.
18-year-old Katie, from Whitley Bay, was presented with the HITZ Academic Achiever Award, which recognises the journey a young person on the HITZ programme has taken in their academic development. It also acknowledges the personal pathway the learner has taken since joining the programme and how far they have come.
Katie joined the Newcastle HITZ programme after leaving school without any GCSEs, due to struggling with poor attendance and disruptive behaviour. However, she found hope through HITZ, which connected her passion for rugby with personal development.
Katie said: “It's just a great experience to be here at the awards, and then to come not expecting to win and then obviously winning, it was just a really big shock, it's just overwhelming. To Dave, George and David and everyone from The Cast who I work with, then Mel and Darren, I want to say thank you for all your support.”
The HITZ Champion Award recognises an individual or business who have gone above and beyond the call of duty to support young people on the HITZ programme in overcoming difficult personal barriers to success.
Kevin scooped this award for going beyond his duties to support, inspire, and guide his students. He consistently remains calm and patient, especially with HITZ participants who struggle with anger or physical outbursts. His passion for sport has seen him set up extracurricular activities such as a football team to increase socialisation for students. Kev also acts as mentor, providing a support network for students that keeps attendance levels high whilst connecting them to relevant external support services like emergency accommodation if needed.
Kevin said, "It does mean a lot to win. I didn't think it would, but it did mean a lot, especially with it being the last awards. To be recognised amongst all the amazing stories we heard tonight is incredible, but I say all the time, it's not just me, it's ALL the people who are involved with the whole HITZ programme up and down the country. It's a huge team effort.
"To any young person that was thinking about trying HITZ, definitely give it a go, it's sometimes about being brave and overcoming fears and anxieties to actually trust other people. But, honestly, this programme is hugely important for people and it does change people's lives. It can give you a massive opportunity. It can give you a huge amount of confidence and it can completely give you something you might have never had before or thought you could ever have."
Laylla Stanley, Strategic Lead – Social Impact and D&I at Premiership Rugby said: “Congratulations to Katie and Kev on their well-deserved award wins. HITZ’s impact over the past 16 years speaks for itself: 83% of participants like Katie move into education, employment, or training immediately after completing the programme. HITZ equips young people with the tools to navigate life’s challenges, extending far beyond the classroom or rugby pitch, and this wouldn’t be possible without the valuable support our clubs received from individuals like Kev who share our passion and determination to help young people in their local community. We’re thrilled for Newcastle Rugby Foundation on their double award win; the recognition is much deserved.”
Hosted by Topsy Ojo, and attended by Premiership players, former Newcastle Falcons hooker Rob Vickers, Harlequins centre Lennox Anyanwu and back row Jack Kenningham along with Saracens scrum half Ivan van Zyl, the night was one of pride and celebration of how much rugby can change lives.