Talocher School - Case Study J

J is 14 years old and has only been in the care of Priory Talocher School and Children’s Home, since August 2010. He was placed in our care by the courts, after spending over a year in a secure unit for gang related crimes including muggings and threats involving knifes in his local area.

Upon his arrival at Talocher, after just a short time he had built a very positive relationship with his main worker – a keen rugby player, in the residential home. Having listened to-and hopefully not bored by- many of his main worker’s rugby stories and tales of friendship found through sport, J asked if he could join the same rugby team as him but for the Under 15’s junior section.  Although J had never played rugby, and never been part of team or club, he embraced the chance to learn, progress his skills and make new friends.

Immediately after his first training session for Abergavenny Rugby Club, his coaches stated that he could not believe that J had never played rugby or been involved with a team before. They were amazed by J’s enthusiasm and ability to mingle with a group of 14 year olds who had known each other for years and commented that if J wanted, they would sign him as a member of the rugby club, to which he gratefully accepted.

Since this first training session, J has played in competition matches, regularly attended his training sessions, works out in the gym and has even been to watch Wales play South Africa in the Millennium Stadium.

His new ‘gang’ - that is Abergavenny Under 15’s, have had their team photo in the local paper and have regular write up articles featured also.

J has now been picked as part of a select team, to represent Abergavenny in a large tournament in Blackpool – not bad for someone who hadn’t picked up a rugby ball until September 2010!

Priory Talocher School is very proud of J’s achievements in such a short time, he is a credit to the unit, started to turn his life around, and has in a short period of time, become a positive role model for the rest of his peers at the school.

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