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Tigers teenager honoured at HITZ awards

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A member from the Leicester Tigers HITZ programme has been honoured at the programme's national awards in London.

Through the power of rugby, the multi-award winning HITZ programme tackles some of the greatest challenges facing young people today including crime, mental health challenges and unemployment.
 
A total of 15 young people from the Premiership Rugby clubs were honoured with five emerging as overall winners in their category.
 
Leicester Tigers participant Ryan Driver was shortlisted for the HITZ Best Rugby Performer after overcoming his learning disabilities to attend Brooksby Melton College and play rugby for Coalville RFC.
 
With the help of HITZ, Ryan has overcome his difficulties with Asperger’s and autism to integrate himself in a new environment and a new town.
 
Rugby World Cup winner Jason Robinson – a Land Rover ambassador and long-time supporter of HITZ – headed an impressive list of rugby names past and present who attended the awards to give their support to the HITZ programme.
 
A World Cup winner in 2003 with 51 caps for England, Robinson presented the Best Rugby Performer Award to Ryan on behalf of Land Rover, who support the award.

Robinson said: “I was once in the same situation as many of the youngsters on the HITZ programme and rugby was the motivator for me to turn my life around for the better, just as it is doing for Ryan.
 
“The sport has given me so much, not just through playing but meeting the extended rugby family. That is one of the real successes of HITZ – it gives youngsters a support network.

“Land Rover understands rugby and recognises the importance of rewarding the youngsters who are making major changes to their lives through HITZ.”
 
For more details on the HITZ programme at Leicester Tigers, please email [email protected] or see www.hitzrugby.com