DofE north east engages its first sporting partner
Rugby League North East are presented with their licence
A unique partnership is about to kick off between Rugby League North East and The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
Rugby League North East will be delivering DofE programmes to young people who attend their local rugby clubs across the region.
The partnership will be launched this Saturday (15th August) at Gateshead Stadium during half-time. Representatives from the DofE in the North East will be going on to the pitch to present the licence to the Rugby League.
Initially the clubs that will be involved include Jarrow Vikings, Cramlington Rockets, Durham Demons, Peterlee Pumas and the Whitley Bay Barbarians. The partnership is aiming to engage 500 young people from across the North East region.
The initiative came about because Rugby League volunteers became aware of the DofE and thought it would be the perfect accreditation programme for the young people involved with their local rugby clubs.
Rugby League North East believe the DofE is a valuable asset to young people which offers them vast rewards and believe that Rugby and the DofE can work well together, encouraging and providing personal development opportunities for young people from a wide variety of back grounds.
The young people involved will be aged 14 to 24, with those outside of that age range acting as DofE Leaders and Volunteers.
A spokesperson for The Rugby Football League North East said: "I believe Rugby League becoming an Operating Authority can help the DofE reach participants in the hard to reach areas, and provide exciting times for both Rugby League and the DofE"
North East DofE Director Nicola Meredith said: “We’re delighted that RFL NE has chosen the DofE, the world’s leading achievement award for their accreditation for young people who engage with their local rugby clubs. The RFL NE joins a strong network of DofE delivery throughout the North East. We’re thrilled that they will bring exciting opportunities for young people adding a new dimension to DofE programmes. I’ve been impressed by the enthusiasm and drive at RFL NE and I’m looking forward to many successful years of partnership working.”