New partnership with charity Dallaglio RugbyWorks opens doors for young people at Sandown Park
Racing to School is pleased to have launched a new partnership with youth development charity Dallaglio RugbyWorks (DRW) to deliver a series of pilot events aimed at supporting young people from challenging backgrounds. The first of four events planned for 2025 took place on July 4th at Sandown Park racecourse, marking the start of an exciting new initiative.
The day was supported as part of a wider grant from the Racing Foundation, and Racing to School was pleased to welcome along its Chair Julia Budd and social media lead, Antonia Bullrich to observe the activities.
The day was designed in collaboration with the team at Dallaglio RugbyWorks – a charity dedicated to supporting young people either excluded or vulnerable to being excluded from mainstream education. The focus of the Sandown event was employability and a group of students from Harris Academy in South Norwood and some colleagues from DRW were introduced to the wide range of jobs that are undertaken on a raceday.
The experience offered the young people the chance to learn in a unique and dynamic setting, using the backdrop of a working racecourse to bring learning to life outside of the classroom.
John Blake, Chief Executive at Racing to School said: “We’re pleased to get our pilot programme up and running with Dallaglio RugbyWorks, as there is much crossover and shared ambition between the charities. We aim to use the inspiration of sport to connect with young people and to give them access to new, practical experiences that make employment opportunities relatable, especially to those facing challenges at this key time in their lives.”
Activities on the day included applying curriculum-based learning in real-world settings, such as the weighing room, racecourse stables; the parade ring; learning how to read a racecard, and then the chance to watch live racing.
The group met with the Sales and Hospitality Manager at Sandown Park and were invited to climb aboard a RaceTech truck to learn how the sport is broadcast. There was also time for a chat with one of the British Horseracing Authority’s vets as they checked horses into the stables.
Dan Ley, Programme Manager at DRW added: ‘Visiting Sandown racecourse was a fantastic experience for our inner-city young people, who would have never had the opportunity to engage in a race day if it wasn’t for Racing to School offering these experiences.
“It is vital that we open as many career pathways to young people as unemployment continues to grow. The collaboration between RugbyWorks and Racing to School will give disengaged young people the opportunity to experience what the horseracing industry has to offer and hopefully will ignite a passion that will inspire them in their career choices.”
With thanks to the Racing Foundation for supporting this event and to Dallaglio RugbyWorks and The Jockey Club for their valued collaboration.
The Racing Foundation will include the day as an episode within the ‘Julia visits…’ series, which will be available to watch later in the year.
News
