Portishead Youth Centre To Host Urban Rugby Project

The centre, which is located on Harbour Road and has recently undergone a £1m redevelopment, will host the ground-breaking initiative run by Premiership Rugby and its clubs, helping 1,000 young people aged 14-16 from disadvantaged communities across England.

In its first year, the scheme helped 778 young people and delivered 136 personal development workshops on topics such as anger management and sexual health.

Assistant centre manager and youth development worker, Kimberley Dodd, said: "Portishead Youth Centre is always looking for new ways to work with other local professional groups to deliver activities and projects for young people - and working with Bristol Rugby is a really exciting opportunity for us.

"We are looking forward to the team working with us on Monday evenings, encouraging young people to try something new, get fit and have fun."

Year two of Urban Rugby Squad is run in partnership with BT Sport’s The Supporters Club, the broadcaster’s initiative that aims to build a better world through sport, and Restart Rugby, the Official Charity of The Rugby Players’ Association (RPA).

Simon Green, head of BT Sport, said: “The year two launch marks a deepening of the excellent relationship between BT and Premiership Rugby.

“Together, we have not only grown the game of rugby but through Urban Rugby Squad, we are tapping into the special power of sport to help youngsters use rugby to better their lives.”

The clubs will come together in August for a club festival where an Urban Rugby Squad will be selected to represent each Premiership Rugby side, culminating in a National Festival in Coventry, to be held in the autumn.

For more information about Urban Rugby Squad run in partnership with BT Sport’s The Supporters Club and Restart Rugby including how to get involved, please visit premiershiprugby.com/UrbanRugbySquad and join the conversation #RugbyChangingLives