Three young stars from Exeter are set have their achievements recognised at the HITZ Awards 2021.

HITZ is Premiership Rugby’s flagship education and employability programme, working with over 2,000 14-to-23-year-olds across England every year with the support of the CVC Foundation, Wooden Spoon and SCL Education Group.

The programme is delivered nationally by England rugby clubs, including Exeter Chiefs and uses rugby’s core values of teamwork, respect, enjoyment, discipline and sportsmanship, to support young people not in education, training or employment (NEET) back into education, training, apprenticeships and/or employment.

The annual HITZ awards, taking place on the 17 November, recognise and reward the outstanding progress and work by those on the programme. These inspirational people have been nominated in three separate categories.

Jack Gollop - shortlisted for the Physical Activity Award. This award recognises a young person for their progress and development in sport and physical activity, rewarding progress in both their physical fitness and a healthier lifestyle.

Cai O'Shaughnessy – Shortlisted for the Academic Achievement Awards which recognises academic progress which young people have made since joining the programme.

Callum Pope – Shortlisted for the Young Achiever Award which rewards those young people who have overcome a range of challenges and has worked hard to progress on their journey back to education, training or employment.

Wayne Morris, Premiership Community and Corporate Responsibility Director, said: “It was an incredibly strong pool of applications; it was a very lengthy debate between the judges. Through HITZ, all three found the sport that we all love. They have embraced the core values of rugby- they are all an embodiment of how rugby can change lives for the better.

“What we’ve really seen over the last two years with Covid, and other challenges, is how important programme like HITZ are to the futures of some young people. Our HITZ students demonstrated real commitment and resilience to not letting lockdown derail their aspirations. Our nominees are shining examples of how determination coupled with the right support and opportunity can go a long way to changing lives for the better.”

Sidmouth Herald: Physical Activity Award - Jack Gollop - Exeter Chiefs during the nominations for the 2021 HITZ Awards during October 2021 . Photo: Phil Mingo/PPAUKPhysical Activity Award - Jack Gollop - Exeter Chiefs during the nominations for the 2021 HITZ Awards during October 2021 . Photo: Phil Mingo/PPAUK (Image: PINNACLE PHOTO AGENCY LTD - PPAUK)

Sidmouth Herald: Academic Achiever Award - Cai O'Shaughnessy - Exeter Chiefs during the nominations for the 2021 HITZ Awards during October 2021 . Photo: Phil Mingo/PPAUKAcademic Achiever Award - Cai O'Shaughnessy - Exeter Chiefs during the nominations for the 2021 HITZ Awards during October 2021 . Photo: Phil Mingo/PPAUK (Image: PINNACLE PHOTO AGENCY LTD - PPAUK)