We now have two coaches progressing the project through coaching within local education. Jim Keeble has been building the connections and coaching for three years now, initially by coaching in schools from the RFU All Schools Project, and then via Health Service and County Councillor funding for the project in 2015 to 2016.

This September, we have taken on Tim Marshall who is progressing from Jim’s foundation base to 'Project Breakthrough', the aim of which is to increase rugby participation in the local area, particularly those from a disadvantaged background and/or with disabilities. The theory behind the name of ‘Project Breakthrough’ is to breakdown the barriers to participation in rugby... it’s a sport for all!

Over the season Jim plans to coach for 32 hours per school and this will include six schools, all of which have agreed to take part.
• East Point Academy, Lowestoft
• Ormiston Denes Academy, Lowestoft
• Pakefield High School, Lowestoft
• Benjamin Britten High School, Lowestoft
• Cliff Park Academy, Gorleston
• Lynn Grove Academy, Gorleston
In addition, a number of Schools tournaments are also arranged from years 7 to 11 inclusive, as well as "come and try it nights", all at the club at Gunton Park.

Tim is spending 3-5 hours coaching time per week with up to 5 hours of meetings and making contacts with new schools and colleges regarding the project, looking into further events and projects for the club. Currently one SEN school, The Ashley School in Lowestoft and one Primary School, Roman Hill School, are confirmed and in the programme. However, we are now finalising working with Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth Colleges and Lowestoft 6th Form College with a particular emphasis on those with Special Educational Needs. In the short term, as his coaching hours increase his administration hours will decrease, or in the likely case of expansion then we will seek further funding streams.

In the past three years, we have been successful in recruiting players at all five youth (13-17yrs old) age groups so that the current teams from U13 to Colts feature 3/4 players who would not be playing rugby if it had not been for the involvement of Club Coaches going into schools. Currently the ‘Mini’ age groups of 7-13yrs have not been targeted in this project, but from previous experience of similar coaching the response rate has been directly attributable for to up to 50% of player conversion.

Our first All Schools players are now progressing to Senior Rugby this season. We have also had players from the project represent their County Team and in two cases have played for Eastern Counties in the last two seasons.

After all this recent success, the aim is to continue to maintain and grow interest in the sport and encourage young people in the area to consider the game as an alternative to other sports and hobbies.