ChildLine and Leicester Tigers stars unite to kick bullying into touch

Leicester Tigers Community team have teamed up with ChildLine this season to create a unique schools programme that aims to help over 18,000 children in Leicestershire & Rutland  get help tackling bullying.

Boys and girls across the Tigers Region will take part in a programme called ‘Kicking Bullying Into Touch’, specially designed by Premier Rugby and ChildLine.

All 12 Premiership Clubs and Leeds Carnegie are taking part in the initiative with ChildLine and will be taking anti-bullying training into an amazing 780 primary schools across England over the next 18 months.

Leicester Tigers Rugby Development Officer, Richard Lang said: “I’m really looking forward to working with children in schools through the ChildLine partnership and helping to kick bullying into touch.”

Tigers Player Richard Blaze added “Being a player at Tigers means you have to learn to work together and play to each others strengths to get a winning result. Everyone is different, just like some of us are better at taking the ball down the wing, others like to be in the scrum – that’s why we all have our different positions.

“You don’t always agree with your team mates, but you learn to sort out your differences in a respectful manner and make sure no one is bearing grudges as that can ruin your chances.

“Kids might be surprised to know this, but even some tough rugby players have been bullied at school. No one should put up with bullying, but you have to deal with it safely, and I hope by going into schools with ChildLine we can all make play our part in tackling bullying.”

The partnership, which launched at the start of national Anti Bullying Week (17 to 21 November), is just the beginning of a wider awareness and fundraising partnership between ChildLine and the Guinness Premiership.

How can ChildLine help you?

Last year ChildLine counselled 32,562 children calling about bullying – on 0800 1111 – around 18% of all children counselled by the free helpline provided by the NSPCC.

Founder and president of ChildLine Esther Rantzen said: “Bullying can devastate children’s lives and it’s vital that all children know bullying is wrong and how to get help if it happens to them. Taking part in a sport like rugby can build teamwork skills and respect for others.

“I am delighted that Premier Rugby has chosen to work with ChildLine and I hope this partnership will also raise awareness of ChildLine with families, as well as help raise the vital funds for our Child’s Voice Appeal to reach our aim to provide counselling support for 1.2 million children’s calls to ChildLine by 2011.”

ChildLine is the UK’s free, confidential 24-hour helpline for children and young people, with trained volunteer counsellors available to offer comfort, advice and protection. ChildLine, now one of the NSPCC’s listening services, still has the same well known telephone number – 0800 1111 – and children and young people can still call 24 hours a day and receive the same crucial service.

More information and advice for children can be found at http://www.childline.org.uk/. Adults looking for advice on protecting children, or wishing to support the charity, should go to http://www.nspcc.org.uk/. For more information about Kicking Bullying Into Touch go to http://www.childline.org.uk/

What is bullying?

- Bullying can include being called names, being punched or kicked, or being attacked because of your religion or race, or a disability.
- Sometimes bullying doesn't happen face to face. You might be sent nasty text or email messages, or hear rumours and lies are being spread about you.
- Always remember that if you're being bullied it's not your fault. No one deserves to be bullied.
- If you're being bullied talk to someone in your family, a teacher, or another adult you trust about it. Keep telling them until something is done about it.
- If you see bullying happening don't ignore it. Encourage the person being bullied to tell someone. Or report it to an adult you trust.
- And you can call ChildLine anytime about bullying or any worry you may have - on 0800 1111.

About ChildLine

ChildLine is free to call - even from your mobile - and ChildLine won't tell anyone you have called, unless they think you're in immediate danger. ChildLine is a service provided by the NSPCC. Registered charity numbers 216401 and SC037717. The ChildLine service is delivered in Scotland by CHILDREN 1st on behalf of the NSPCC. CHILDREN 1st Scottish registered charity numbers SC016092. Photography by gettyimages.com and istockphoto.com. The oval trim on the rugby ball image is a registered trademark of Gilbert Rugby.