The Inspiring Futures programme aims to support youths who are at risk of anti-social behaviour and youth crime. The programme is funded by our partners The Youth Endowment Fund (YEF), who are an independent charity with a mission to prevent children and young people becoming involved in violence by finding out what works and building a movement to put this knowledge into practice. 

YEF have funded the RFL to deliver the programme and IPSOS to evaluate whether rugby-as-a-hook mentoring programs can reduce behavioural difficulties for at-risk youths. 

The programme entails 12-weeks of mentoring for students in years 8 and 9 that focuses on three broad topics – Personal Well-being, Collaboration, and Leadership. Inspiring Futures will be delivered through 11 professional Rugby League Foundations engaging 100 schools. 

The first wave of delivery took place from January to April with our first cohort of 24 schools.

The second wave of delivery is also complete, which ran over summer term 2025 with our second cohort of 27 schools.

The final evaluation report will be released in April 2026.

The delivery partners for the Inspiring Futures programme are:

• Advantage! Barrow Raiders Community Foundation
• Huddersfield Giants Community Trust
• Hull FC Rugby Community Sports & Education Foundation
• Leeds Rhinos Foundation
• Leigh Youth and Community Development Trust
• Saints Community Development Foundation
• Salford Red Devils Foundation
• Swinton Lions Community Sports Foundation
• Wakefield Trinity Community Trust
• Warrington Wolves Community Foundation
• Wigan Warriors Community Foundation