Initially, the gym-based programme was trialled with eight boys from Whangaparāoa College, and two who were not attending school. It started eight months ago and has since brought in seven girls, mostly from the college. None of the boys have reoffended since the programme began.
It is run by two local PT instructors, Willy Wilson and Alistair Wotten, supported by the police Youth Aid team. Wilson, a former professional rugby player, says the model of using physical activity to connect with troubled youth worked in his own life. “I was one of those kids getting in trouble, and sport saved me,” he says.
“The values I learned from team sport – discipline, respect and attitudes to work – changed my life.” He says he has seen “massive changes” in the kids who he and the team have been working with. “They are turning up to school, and their behaviour, in school and at home, has vastly improved,” he says.
“They are playing rugby and continued coming to the gym, even in the school holidays, to train.” He says they discovered that some of the boys about to start the PT session had not eaten since the day before. After connecting with Salt Trust and Love Soup, each session now begins with food and mentoring.
Rodney Youth Aid SergeantJon Williams says setting up a proactive intervention project, with wrap-around support services, has been his goal since he began working with Rodney Youth Aid. He initiated the police patrols at Whangaparāoa College , which ha.
