It’s a bright and breezy Thursday morning in Croydon’s New Addington neighbourhood. This is precisely the point where London meets Surrey. We’re only a few miles away from some of the country’s most affluent villages, with their suitably luxurious properties and exclusive golf clubs. And yet here we are in an area, so long severely under-resourced and ignored, which has a deeply troubled history, often making headlines for the bleakest of reasons. The dramatically contrasting proximity of privilege and neglect remains a stark statement of unhealthy social inequality.
Rugby coach Aidan Brennan, with his trademark bustling energy and enthusiasm, is busy setting up for another training session at Meridian High School. Today he’ll put 68 pupils through their paces, as part of an ongoing programme which runs in collaboration with the school’s own sports offering. It’s overseen by the TackleLondon scheme, which has just completed its first two terms providing regular coaching and mentoring in this and other local schools.
INVALUABLE ENGAGEMENT
The impact here has already been significant and massively encouraging. Numbers are growing, and along with them the committed buy-in from the pupils, who are not only learning a new skill but more importantly thriving in an environment which many of them previously simply didn’t have access to.
These sessions are more than just physical training; they are avenues for the students to develop discipline, teamwork and self-confidence. They’re eagerly anticipated, with some boys and girls even arriving early to get extra practice in. The camaraderie built on the field often spills over into their academic lives, with school staff noting improved cooperation and mutual respect both towards teachers and among peer groups.
Assistant Head, and Personal Development Lead, Robyn Wallace is emphatically committed to the initiative, and in no doubt as to its benefits:
‘This programme is invaluable to us. Its values of teamwork and resilience have already been so influential: I’ve seen pupils immediately more engaged, respectful and polite. They see the coach as a role model: someone that cares, wants to listen, and can give them guidance.’
A SHARED VISION
TackleLondon was established as a joint venture between three organisations with common motivations and goals: The Atlas Foundation, star* scheme and The Matt Ratana Rugby Foundation. As many readers will be aware, the latter charity was created as a memorial legacy for the local hero who was killed on duty policing Croydon’s communities. Matt was a fiercely passionate advocate of youth mentoring; he believed wholeheartedly in providing young people with the opportunity to follow a more positive path and realise their own potential.
Already the project has been established in 11 further schools, as well as 6 clubs. Backed by funding from the Mayor’s NDYP/Propel scheme, TackleLondon has already expanded into neighbouring Bromley and Sutton, and is ahead of schedule with its growth plans. Ultimately, with increased investment and more resources, the target is to reach every London borough. The collaborative effort aims to create a sustainable model that can be replicated across various communities, ensuring that no young person is left without the support they need.
This growth not only aims to increase the number of participants but also to enhance the quality of engagement through continuous feedback and adaptation of the programmes. By doing so, TackleLondon hopes to build a robust framework that can withstand the test of time and impact generations to come. Their mission is to break the cycle of disadvantage and provide young people with the tools they need to succeed, both on and off the field.
A CONSISTENT PATHWAY
Its commitment to tackling inequality of opportunity is based on promoting and developing positive, beneficial relationships uniting school, club and community: this is TackleLondon’s unbroken and coherent ‘pathway’ of support. Under the project, students initially experience regular contact with a dedicated mentor in the form of a trained coach. These sessions are designed and delivered in close consultation with the host school.
By providing training and resources enabling local community clubs to offer approved programmes, TackleLondon then facilitates the transition to a further supportive environment. The ultimate goal is to provide continuity and consistency, in the form of long-term help and guidance, establishing each young person as a valued member of their local ‘rugby family’.
The 'pathway' model ensures that students don’t just participate in isolated activities, but embark on a journey of growth and development. It encourages a holistic approach to their wellbeing, focusing on physical fitness, emotional resilience and social skills.
This model has already been successful in fostering a sense of belonging and identity among the participants, which is crucial for their overall development.
COUNTERING ADVERSITY
The TackleLondon approach is based on extensive academic research which emphatically demonstrates that the harmful effects of childhood adversity can be favourably influenced by sustained engagement with reliable and responsible mentoring. Consistent access to a trusted ‘always available adult’ builds both the resilience to cope with challenges, and the self-belief to respond to constructive influences and develop.
The ultimate goal is to empower the next generation by enabling all young people with the confidence and motivation to take ownership of their futures and realise their full potential. By focusing on early intervention and continuous support, TackleLondon aims to create lasting change by encouraging ongoing youth engagement.
POSITIVE OUTCOMES
Dr Amy Atkinson, TackleLondon manager and a leader in the nationwide Rugby United project promoting cultural inclusion, highlights the broader impact:
‘Rugby is a potent leveller: it doesn’t matter who you are, where you’ve come from, we’re all in the same team together. We’re taking rugby out into the community to under-served, under-resourced schools where we can show young people that they belong, that there’s a space for them with us, a home, where they can begin a new story about themselves and leave that different, unhelpful, unhealthy story behind.
The level of physicality in rugby means that there is a strong emphasis on rules and discipline. Young people, for some very understandable reasons, have become suspicious and mistrusting of authority. But through rugby they can start to understand that the rules are there to keep everyone safe, and that they apply to everyone equally.
The importance of belonging cannot be overstated. Sadly, we know that gang affiliation - which also offers a sense of identity and belonging in the most dangerous of ways - is a strong force in our communities. In some areas, that is what we are competing with, and we cannot act quickly or effectively enough to broaden our reach to those young people most at risk of endangering their own and other peoples’ futures.’
MORE THAN RUGBY
Whilst the playing field is the starting point, classroom-based sessions addressing wellbeing and mental health are also in the pipeline. These sessions will cover a range of topics, including stress management, healthy relationships and academic support. By integrating these aspects, TackleLondon ensures a well-rounded approach to youth development.
Additionally, the programme plans to incorporate various arts and cultural activities to engage students with different interests and talents. By doing so, they aim to reach a wider audience and provide multiple avenues for young people to express themselves and build their confidence. This inclusive approach helps to ensure that no one is left behind and everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
THE ROAD AHEAD
As Robyn proudly declares: ‘Our young people, who increasingly feel lost and lacking in inspiration, unsure of their career future and their place in the world, are now saying “I can do this, I can achieve something”.’
The students of Meridian High School are central to a renewed sense of hope and optimism for the New Addington community. TackleLondon has a vital role to play in this inspiring story, and in the similarly inspiring stories waiting to be told in every other London borough.
TackleLondon aims to make a tangible, constructive difference to the lives of young Londoners who face disproportionate challenges. They work with schools and rugby clubs, in communities affected by increased levels of poverty, neglect and social disadvantage, to facilitate access to their own brand of sports mentoring: regular and ongoing engagement with trusted, reliable adults.
Paul Murphy
Communications Lead, TackleLondon
www.TackleLondon.org
