Spoon's SCR initiative working in Regents Park, is supported by the West Euston Partnership, The Crown Estate and the Metropolitan Police and aims reduce anti-social and threatening behaviour by young people on housing estates in West Euston by providing positive replacement activity into playing and experiencing rugby. This is particularly important for the coming year because the local youth club is shut. We also hope to encourage these young people to use the wonderful Royal Park on their doorstep.

This project runs two free open access rugby sessions per week starting on the estate to build confidence and trust. Once built the young people will be walked over the road to play in the park. In time we hope to establish a new permanent junior rugby club that is self financing and has strong parent volunteer involvement to extend the benefits of the project into the future and to more young people.

This project has only been running for three months and attendance has risen every week from five to ten and now to thirty regular players. This has happened through word of mouth and positive recommendation. A few parents have stayed to watch and this bodes well for a future volunteer team which will make a permanent club more sustainable. Local police and youth workers are taking an interest in the project and are talking to the coaching team about referring other young people, particularly known troublemakers, to the project.

As Spoon's lead ambassador, Jason Leonard credits his involvement with rugby at a young age with transforming his life for the better. Having gained so much from playing a sport he loves, Jason now uses his voice and influence to help those most in need by promoting the sport's benefits to young people and developing Wooden Spoon's work. The Crown Estate and other supports are proud to be able to help Jason and Wooden Spoon bring Rugby onto its estate.

A short video of the Regent's Park launch can also be seen by clicking here

Rugby sessions are held at the Cumberland Market open space every Tuesday from 5.00pm to 6.00pm - open to boys and girls aged 12 to 16 for anyone who wants to join in or lend their support.