For young people facing barriers to education and employment, the right support can make all the difference. In Hastings, Dallaglio RugbyWorks is using the power of rugby, mentoring and positive relationships to help young people build confidence, develop life skills and see new possibilities for their future.

Dallaglio RugbyWorks works with young people aged 13–24 who are experiencing exclusion and hardship. Its programmes are delivered in schools and Alternative Provision settings, particularly in areas of high deprivation, supporting those who are disengaged from education or at risk of exclusion.

Through regular rugby sessions and mentoring, young people develop skills such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving and self-management. The programme also connects them with local employers, giving them the chance to explore different careers, gain new experiences and raise their aspirations.

A grant from Sussex Community Foundation helped expand the Dallaglio RugbyWorks programme in Hastings, supporting up to 125 young people through mentoring, rugby activities and opportunities to engage with local employers and organisations, including Active Hastings and Sussex Police.

Building confidence and opening up opportunities

In 2025/26, Dallaglio RugbyWorks supported more than 180 young people across Hastings, many of whom faced significant barriers to education and employment. Of those supported, 48% were eligible for free school meals, 34% lived in some of the most deprived neighbourhoods in England, and 33% had identified special educational needs.

The programme is helping young people look ahead with greater confidence. Alongside weekly mentoring and sports sessions, participants took part in employer-led career tasters and employability activities. Following these experiences, 97% of young people reported feeling more positive about their future career options.

The impact extended beyond careers and education. Young people’s wellbeing and confidence improved, with 12 of the 14 wellbeing measures showing positive change. More participants reported feeling useful and better able to deal with problems.

The benefits were also reflected in the classroom. Teachers reported improvements in behaviour, engagement and emotional regulation, with some groups seeing behaviour points fall by as much as 67%. Days lost to suspension decreased by 46%, while 92% of post-16 participants progressed into education.

The value of the programme was clear to the schools involved, too: 100% of teachers said they would recommend Dallaglio RugbyWorks to another school.

These results highlight the importance of sustained mentoring, positive role models and opportunities that help young people recognise their strengths and take steps towards a brighter future.

Find out more

Dallaglio RugbyWorks uses rugby and long-term mentoring to support young people aged 13–24 who are facing exclusion and hardship. Find out more about its work at Dallaglio RugbyWorks.

This project was supported through Sussex Community Foundation’s Reaching Potential funding priority, which supports local organisations helping people across Sussex access life-changing skills, education and training.

You can help more young people reach their potential by donating to the Reaching Potential Fund. Donations of any size contribute to our pooled fund, enabling Sussex Community Foundation to make grants to local organisations creating opportunities and improving lives across Sussex.