Offenders join Sky TV’s School of Hard Knocks

Offenders tackle their problems through rugby with support from Scott Quinnell and Will Greenwood

Two unemployed Cardiff offenders have spent eight life-changing weeks at the School of Hard Knocks which uses intensive rugby training to boost young men’s chances of finding work.

Caine Herbert, 25, and Gareth Bridle, 37, were among 24 unemployed men to make it through the eight-week training programme run by a social inclusion charity and filmed by Sky TV for the series the School of Hard Knocks.

Caine and Gareth, who were both on 12 month supervision orders with Wales Community Rehabilitation Company’s Cardiff and Vale Local Delivery Unit, signed up to the programme at the start of February. Caine had not worked for six months while Gareth had been out of work for 18 months.

During the training, Caine and Gareth were put through their paces by Welsh rugby legend Scott Quinnell and World Cup winner, Will Greenwood. By learning how to play rugby union and work as a team, they were able to improve their fitness levels, social development and life skills with the end goal of getting a job.

The course culminated in a jobs fair at the Millennium Stadium. Caine said: “My lifestyle at the time of my offences revolved around parties, but I was not happy. Learning how to play rugby has been great and my level of fitness has been amazing. Everything is good and I’m going to join my local rugby club.”

Caine said:“Before the course I hated rugby and didn’t have much motivation. Half way through was the make or break point for me. We went away for Army training and I was so bored I just wanted to leave. But these big guys from the Army sat me down and gave me a talking to. I was so intimidated, but I’m glad I stayed and finished the course.

“Learning how to play rugby has been great and my level of fitness has been amazing. Everything is good and I’m going to join my local rugby club.”

And Gareth was also glad he stuck it out. “It’s been an amazing experience. I have developed new friendships and I feel part of something special. It’s refreshing not feeling like an outsider or a ‘joke.’

“It helped me to grow on a personal basis and understand the importance of working as a team. Developing a work ethic has helped me to take responsibility for my actions and as a result the distant relationship I had with my father since I was 15 has improved.”

Both men were under the supervision of probation services provider Wales Community Rehabilitation Company when they were recommended for the course.

Rugby star and presenter Scott Quinnell added: “Caine is one of the most improved guys we have had on the programme. He went off to the Army recruitment training and came back a changed man. He can do whatever he wants in future.”