07
October
2013
|
23:00
Europe/London

BT Sport backs youth project and unveils Lawrence Dallaglio's game changer

The work of a youth programme, founded by rugby star and BT Sport analyst Lawrence Dallaglio, will feature in the documentary, The Supporters Club: Lawrence Dallaglio's Game Changer, which premieres on Wednesday October 16 at 9.30pm on BT Sport 1. 

The “Dallaglio Foundation Rugby for Change”, is one of the latest beneficiaries of money raised by “The Supporters Club”. This is BT Sport’s new initiative, set up to help charities in the UK and overseas, supporting young people facing some of life’s toughest challenges. 

BT Sport customers can simply add £1, £3 or £5 to their monthly bill and BT will match it pound for pound*. 

Dallaglio Foundation Rugby for Change provides disadvantaged young people with the support of practical and inspirational mentoring from local community leaders. Its work has had a profound impact on the aspirations and self-esteem of many young Londoners, enabling them to make positive life choices and get back into education, training or employment. One in four young people aged 16 to 24 is unemployed, according to figures released by the Office for National Statistics. The money raised by The Supporters Club will help the Foundation expand into nine other British cities as well as doubling its 
London activity. 

In the documentary Lawrence finds out about the lives of troubled teenagers in London and we witness how rugby can provide them with team support, life skills, confidence and help change their lives around. Lawrence talks openly about his own childhood struggles and how rugby helped him to develop as a person. The film ends with the teenagers facing up to the challenge of playing a match against a team featuring famous rugby players such as ex-England international Kieran Bracken. 

Rachel Roxburgh, CEO, Dallaglio Foundation, said: “The generosity of The Supporters Club grant means that the Dallaglio Foundation Rugby for Change (DFRFC) are able to work with more marginalised young people going through the ‘Pupil Referral’ system through our unique programme of rugby and youth development. We are proud of the early results of the programme, as according to their teachers 83 per cent of young people assessed are less aggressive, violent or confrontational in school after involvement in the DFRFC programme. We are so grateful for this as it allows the Dallaglio Foundation to continue to help young people get a positive start in life, using the inspiration and values of sport." 

Other charities being supported in the UK and overseas will be revealed in the coming months and those projects will feature in documentaries on BT Sport. BT is covering the costs of the Supporters Club fund, which is managed by Comic Relief. This means every pound will make a real difference. The documentaries show the impact of the money raised by The Supporters Club - demonstrating to customers the difference their donations are making. 

For more information visit www.thesupportersclub.org or follow the Supporters Club on twitter @supporters. 

*Up to a total of £1 million. The Supporters Club fund is managed by Comic Relief, registered charity No. 326568 (England/Wales); SC039730 (Scotland).