WORLD Cup winner Jason Leonard has thrown his weight behind a new scheme combining rugby training with classroom-based learning.

The world’s most-capped forward has backed the Fair Play initiative, with the former England prop promoting the social and educational benefits of being involved in a disciplined and competitive environment through rugby.

Research carried out by Fair Play, a rugby programme for young people excluded from mainstream education, has revealed that the vast majority of parents in Newcastle believe playing competitive sport, including rugby, would improve their teenager’s behaviour, and even their academic performance.

The research showed that 81% of them believe it is important for their teenager to take part in a competitive sport, while 85% believe it helps, or could help, academic performance. Furthermore, 70% believe competitive sport helps, or could help, their teenager’s behaviour in the classroom.

“These findings show that most parents agree that playing a competitive sport like rugby can have a really positive impact in teenagers,” said Leonard who pulled on the shirt 114 times for England and a further five for the British and Irish Lions during his illustrious career.

“We are seeing, through programmes like Fair Play, that rugby helps young people to improve their confidence, self-esteem and attitude, while the discipline of the sport can help them secure qualifications and find employment.”

The Fair Play scheme operates across England, and is a partnership between Wooden Spoon, Barclays Spaces for Sports, the Rugby Football Union and the Enterprise Education Trust.

FairPlay aims to complete a total of 120 projects across England, working with young people in Pupil Referral Units. For more information about the programme, and local schemes, please contact Matthew Carter on 07740 565 068 or email mattcarter@rfu.com