RUGBY players are helping to tackle youth crime rates by getting onside with a project which helps recently released offenders.

Saracens RC are working with staff at Feltham Young Offenders Institution, in Bedfont Road, Feltham, as part of the Get Onside Project.

The course teaches 15 to 21-year-olds at Feltham rugby’s basic skills, rules and values in a 10-week course.

Saracens’ link with the institute’s PE department has the specific aim of building young offenders’ confidence and improving their social inclusion.

Recent reports had included statistics showing that as many as 70 per-cent of youngsters who leave Feltham are back within three months.

Saracens sports development officer James Coles has seen Get Onside grow from a pilot scheme last year to now having helped 24 young people, of which only one has re-offended.

He said: “I asked if maybe I could come down and do a session. I ended up doing it as a one-off but then thought ‘actually there is a real opportunity there’. There are about 650 lads there and current statistics say that 70 per-cent will be back in three months. I thought there must be something we can do to make a difference because that is ridiculous.

“It would be fantastic to see the programme recognised with the award and great for us because it gives it a bit of credibility.”

Although each Get Onside course has a 10-week life span, Saracens’ commitment to its youngsters extends well beyond that.

Of the 30 participants who’ve started the two courses; 24 completed it, of whom 12 were released early and seven remain in contact with the club.

“Once they’ve finished the programme we help them in locating and joining a rugby club and supporting them in education or employment,” added Mr Coles. “That can be through helping them write their CV or giving them a job reference or getting them involved as a volunteer with our Hitz programme.

“We are learning as much as the lads though and we’re changing a few bits and pieces all the time to make the course is better and hopefully it will be around a long time to come.”

Although shortlisted for the Land Rover Innovation Award, Get Onside faces stiff competition to win the accolade outright from a similar scheme at a club in Northampton.

For the results of the All Parliamentary Premiership Rugby Community Awards see www.premiershiprugby.com