The Harlequins Foundation celebrate a successful evening at the annual HITZ Awards at the BT Centre.

The HITZ Programme aims to use the core values of rugby to enhance young people’s lives and employability skills which underpin success in education and work. It uses the values of the Game to motivate, inspire and build a brighter future for its students.

Among the enormously worthy nominees was Harlequins Foundation Apprentice Coach Natalie Sexton who was shortlisted for the Champion Award. This isn’t the first time Natalie has been shortlisted for a HITZ Award. In 2018 Natalie was nominated for the HITZ Academic Achiever Award, an accolade that recognises the pathway a learner has taken since beginning the programme, and their progression as both a student and an individual.

Since joining the Programme, Natalie has gone on to achieve a Level 2 Diploma in Sport, The RFU Award, and is currently part of the way through completing her Apprenticeship with the Club.

Speaking on her nomination, Natalie said: “ I am extremely proud and honoured to have been shortlisted for the Champion Award. Over the last couple of years, HITZ and The Harlequins Foundation have supported me to become the best version of myself, and have been instrumental in helping me take the first few steps of my professional career.”

Harlequins Foundation Education Offier Mark Kilgallon commented: “Natalie has been a fantastic addition to our team. Since joining, she has instrumental in supporting our students through their respective educational journeys and has helped them achieve the kind of qualifications that they may have previously thought an impossibility. It is a pleasure to have her on board”.

Harlequins Foundation HITZ Officer Daddy Leeds added: “I have only known Natalie for a short space of time, but I can see that she is passionate about supporting young people to develop and enhance their own lives through sports and education”

To learn more here about the Harlequin HITZ Programme or contact danny.leeds@nullquins.co.uk