HITZ youngsters take part in Charity Mega-Build One Day Challenge

Volunteers from Premiership Rugby and their award-winning HITZ Learning Academy joined forces with programme sponsors Wooden Spoon, along with Rugbytots and Fusion Community Initiatives earlier this month, to deliver a life-enhancing build project for Brixham-based Mayfield School – Chestnut Centre; an incredibly special school for children with complex needs.
Delivered nationally by England‘s 12 top-flight professional rugby clubs, and working with over 2,000 14-18 year olds across England each year, HITZ, Premiership Rugby’s award-winning sports and education programme, aims to get young people not in education, training or employment (NEET) back into education, training and apprenticeships and/or employment.
Linking up with ex-military mentors from Fusion Initiatives, as well as mentors from Wooden Spoon and Rugby Tots, learners from Exeter‘s Rugby HITZ Programme gathered to build a bespoke outdoor play space for the children at the Chestnut Centre.
Chiefs HITZ Officer, Gareth Williams, explained: “For a long time the Exeter Chief’s HITZ team have wanted the opportunity to give something back to their sponsors. Working with the charity Wooden Spoon, and their volunteers, was the project the HITZ team had been waiting for and was much needed.
“Preparing and planning the build the day before with the team set the nerves and excitement flying, and seeing Rachel and Ryan step forward as leaders filled me with pride. They split the group into working teams and began preparing for the build. Despite the early start, and terrible traffic getting to the building site, the HITZ team got stuck right in.
“The building experience challenged the team in ways that put them completely out of their comfort zone. For the majority, this was the first time they had experienced anything like it. Their courage and work ethic on the day was totally faultless and fantastic to see.

“Seeing how the team worked with the other volunteers and engaged with the children to ensure they were involved in the building process was great. I could see how pleased the team were to see the reaction of the students at the school and that alone made it worthwhile”, Williams continued.
With a brand new multi-purpose jungle gym, raised planters, climbing frame and a wonky playhouse, the new outdoor space provides children at the Chestnut Centre with an environment to play, learn and build friendships.
Supporting children and young people with disabilities or facing disadvantage, Wooden Spoon are renowned for their life-changing projects across the UK and Ireland.
“What a day – exhausting but very satisfying!”, said Wooden Spoon’s Mike Wisdom. “We at Wooden Spoon, Devon are delighted to have been able to provide a real challenge to Exeter Chiefs HITZ learners whilst providing a much needed outdoor play facility for the young pupils of The Mayfield Chestnut Centre in Brixham. It was a win, win – we all had a ball!”.
HITZ’s Charlie Beale said: “Working with the Wooden Spoon on the building project was such a wonderful experience to be a part of. Watching the children’s face’s light up when they came and watched and helped us. It was amazing how well behaved they all were. Asking us questions, they were so enthusiastic and wanted to stay outside all day with us.”
Specialising in high-performance team building, vision alignment and leadership development training, the award-winning CSR leadership/development company, Fusion Initiatives, were overwhelmed by the commitment from all involved in the mega-build one-day challenge.
“The commitment and drive we saw on one day, and on an immensely challenging build, was incredible”, added Fusion’s James O’Malley. “It was humbling to see what the achievement meant for everyone involved, and to see a group of individuals become a high-performing team in just a few hours.

“The most rewarding part of putting together projects like these is seeing the true value they bring to both companies and charities, connecting them with their local communities through real-time build initiatives which leave a lasting imprint on schools and charities in need”, he continued.
Delivering a platform for a dynamic team-building exercise with a difference, the 8-hour project provided passionate HITZ youngsters with invaluable life skills and experience.
An incredibly rewarding achievement, in just one day, HITZ learners alongside volunteers, Fusion mentors, and the staff and children at Mayfield School, created not only a stunning recreation space, but left behind a legacy for the school.
If you know someone who would like to join a HITZ programme, or if you would like to find out more information about the programme, visit http://wearescl.co.uk/premiership-rugby.