Rugby coaches to help character-building of British schoolers

A new government program was announced in Britain Sunday to tackle "troublemakers" in schools across the country.

Coaches from every leading premiership club in English rugby have been recruited as part of 5.4 million U.S. dollars Department for Education program to instil character and resilience in thousands of disaffected and troubled children.

In the rough and tumble world of rugby the top coaches keep order among players in what is regarded as one of the world's toughest sports.

The novel move comes in the year England is hosting the Rugby World Cup, one of the sport's greatest contests.

The scheme will reach more than 17,000 troubled young students in schools across England, as well as providing intensive 33-week training courses for hundreds more currently not in education, employment or training.

Government Education Secretary Nicky Morgan said: "Rugby teaches how to bounce back from setbacks, to show integrity in victory and defeat, and to respect others, especially your opponents... we are funding the sport's best coaches to transform the lives of thousands of our most disaffected and disadvantaged children."

Premiership Rugby CEO Mark McCafferty said: "On and off the pitch, rugby's core values of respect, teamwork, enjoyment, discipline and sportsmanship are at the heart of premiership rugby. Our work in the community before, during and after this year's Rugby World Cup gives England's professional rugby clubs a fantastic platform to use rugby's core values to build character."

All 12 Premiership teams and several other top clubs will be taking part in the government-funded initiative.

It is one of 14 programs backed by Britain's Department for Education in the biggest ever character-building drive among school-age children.

The schemes are expected to improve the lives of almost 150,000 children in more than 1,100 schools. Endit