Mean Machine returns to Allianz Park

Mean Machine returns to Allianz Park on Friday 2 August!

Under the Friday night lights in north London a team of Saracens staff and Get Onside programme graduates will take on officers and staff from Feltham Young Offender Institute (YOI).

This game celebrates the “Get Onside” Programme run by the Saracens Sport Foundation and will be another terrific occasion for the Saracens family.

The Get Onside Programme aims to support young offenders in preparing for release from prison. Participants spend eight weeks taking part in rugby sessions, underpinned by the Saracens core values, and combine this with classroom sessions, developing the life skills that will support those participants to succeed and improve their life opportunities.

Along the way the participants in the programme also run their own touch rugby tournament and the eight week course culminates in a full contact match against an external team.

Since the launch of the programme in 2011 it has had impressive results including a reduction in re-offending of up to 55%.

That support doesn’t finish once they leave the programmes as we aim to work with all course graduates to support their transition into education, employment and training, as well as providing support when facing the many challenges they may encounter on leaving prison.

Doors open from 7pm with a kick-off time of 7.30pm! The entry is free and the event is open to the public but there will be opportunities to donate to the Saracens Sport Foundation. There will also be food and drink available to buy and there will be a Crossbar Challenge at half-time!

If you would like to know more about the programme or you have opportunities for any Get Onside graduates then please contact Theo Skoumbourdis, Get Onside Officer: TheoSkoumbourdis@saracens.net