Rugby league Graduation at HMP Lincoln
August 14, 2025Posted by:
Nine men at HMP Lincoln have graduated from a 12-week course that used rugby league as a springboard for building new skills, confidence, and positive routines.
The programme, delivered in partnership between PeoplePlus, the Rugby Football League (RFL) and HMP Lincoln, combined physical activity with workshops on nutrition, coping strategies, leadership, and resilience. It offered a mix of practical sessions on the pitch and classroom-based learning, all aimed at helping participants develop skills they can use both inside and after release.
Graduates marked their achievement at a special ceremony attended by RFL Chief Executive Tony Sutton, coach Dave Elliott, senior RFL colleagues and staff from across HMP Lincoln and PeoplePlus. The morning included a rugby league demonstration, reflections from the men and coach, and the presentation of certificates.
Feedback from the group was overwhelmingly positive. One learner said:
“Doing this course makes it feel like I’m not locked up. I really enjoyed it. You can take away as much or as little as you want, but I’ve taken a lot.”
Another participant explained how the learning stuck with him beyond the sessions:
“It was broken down really easily. I could go away and think about what I’d learned and put some of it into practice day to day.”
Coach Dave, who has 25 years’ experience in high-performance coaching, described the course as one of his most enjoyable roles:
“There have been no egos here, the men have been down to earth and like sponges, taking everything in. They’ve got as much out of the classroom sessions as the practical side of things.”
Staff at HMP Lincoln also noticed the impact. Steve, Physical Education Officer, commented on how the programme drew new faces into the gym and kept them coming back:
“The retention levels have been brilliant and we can’t fault the attendance.”
Michelle, Learning and Skills Manager at HMP Lincoln highlighted the value of sport as a route into learning for those who might not usually engage:
“Sport is a great way to reach men with lower confidence in the classroom. This partnership has given us a new way to do that.”
As part of their next steps, the RFL will help the graduates connect with community rugby league clubs to explore volunteering or apprenticeship opportunities after release, giving them the chance to keep building on what they’ve started.
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August 14, 2025Posted by:
