Meet Amelia: Amelia is a Year 10 student at St. Gregory’s School in Bath and part of Bath Rugby Foundation’s Interventional Group. This group, consisting of 10 students, focuses on building teamwork, listening skills, and confidence through tailored activities and rugby-based interventions, part of our Sport For All programme.

Amelia lives at home with her mum and dad. She finds staying focused in lessons challenging, particularly in English, where she struggles the most. Amelia shared: "I struggle with English the most because I get confused with the letters and find it difficult."

Amelia and her mum are currently exploring the possibility of a dyslexia diagnosis. Reflecting on her school experience, Amelia said: "I get easily confused with English, and I feel like the teacher gets annoyed because I can’t keep up. I do lose focus and talk in lessons, which is when I get strikes, and sometimes I get in trouble. I’ve never had an after-school detention, but I usually get at least two break-time detentions a week."

Despite these challenges, Amelia has shown remarkable progress since joining Bath Rugby Foundation’s sessions. By using rugby as a tool to engage and inspire, we’ve helped Amelia build resilience, improve focus, and develop her communication skills. Each session combines physical activity, such as passing drills, teamwork games, and touch rugby, with reflective discussions aimed at boosting self-belief and problem-solving skills.

Rugby has proven to be a turning point for Amelia. It has provided a structured yet enjoyable environment where she feels valued and supported. Amelia remarked: "My most challenging problem is my attendance. I now come into school more because I know Bath Rugby Foundation is in on that day."

Her involvement has also been supported through Maddy’s Mark, a partnership designed to encourage more girls and young women to explore rugby. The programme celebrates inclusivity and empowerment, values that Amelia has embraced wholeheartedly. She has grown in confidence each week, building strong friendships within the group and stepping out of her comfort zone during activities.

Louis Rabbits, a Community Coach at Bath Rugby Foundation, reflected on Amelia’s journey:
"I am incredibly proud of the commitment Amelia has shown by attending every session. She is growing in confidence each week and has become a positive influence on her peers. Rugby has helped her feel a sense of belonging and purpose, and I believe she will continue to thrive with the support of Bath Rugby Foundation and Maddy’s Mark."

By combining the power of sport with focused interventions, Bath Rugby Foundation is helping students like Amelia unlock their potential, both on and off the pitch.