Future Leaders Programme
Too old for Kids Camp?
Become a Future Leader!
The Future Leaders Programme gives young people aged 12–14 the opportunity to gain hands-on leadership experience by supporting coaches, mentoring younger children, and helping create an amazing Kids Camp experience.
Are you ready to develop your skills in one of our programmes?
The Vision and Mission
The Rugby Universe Young Team Leader Programme
• Vision Statement
The Rugby Universe Future Leaders Programme provides young people aged 12–14 with meaningful leadership and work-experience opportunities through rugby and sport. Participants develop confidence, communication, responsibility, teamwork, and leadership skills while supporting coaches, mentoring younger players, and living TheRugby Universe values of respect, humility, trust, resilience, teamwork, and discipline.
• Mission Statement
Developing confident young leaders through rugby, sport, and service. The programme gives young people aged 12-14 the opportunity to gain real-world experience, build leadership skills, support younger participants, and become positive role models within their community.
Employability and credibility
The Programme is credible, purposeful, and something you as a young person would be proud to achieve. And would boost your CV or a school application, an university application, or any future job application.
Developing future leaders through rugby, sport, and service - Growth, leadership, aspiration, and community impact!
The Progression Pathway
Participant
Children from 18 months to age 11 participate in programmes like
Tiny Tacklers, Holiday Camps or Rugby Skills Academies
↓
Future Leaders Programme (12–14)
↓
Young Team Leaders (14–16)
↓
Assistant Coach
↓
Qualified Coach
↓
Programme Leader / Franchise Owner
The Future Leader Programme Structure
1. Future Leaders Explorer (at age 12) - Entry to the programme
2. Future Leaders Bronze - 2nd involvement in the programme
3. Future Leaders Silver - 3rd involvement in the programme
4. Future Leaders Gold - Combination of 2 different programmes over 4 or more involvements
Programme Outcome
By the end of the programme, a Future Leader should be able to:
Communicate confidently,
Work effectively with others,
Take responsibility,
Support younger children,
Solve problems positively,
And demonstrate the values and behaviours expected of a future leader both on and off the field.
These are practical and powerful outcomes, because it should appeal to you as a potential young and future leader. The programme provides a genuine leadership and employability pathway, not simply just work experience at a sports camp.
Our candidates will receive:
A Future Leaders Certificate
References
Future Leader T-shirt
TRU’s Simple Leadership Development Framework:
LEAD
L – Leadership
E – Engagement & Communication
A – Accountability
D – Discipline & Development
And…
FUTURE
F – Fun & Enthusiasm
U – Understanding Others
T – Teamwork
U – Upholding Values
R – Responsibility & Resilience
E – Effective Communication
Work experience for 12-14 year olds
The world moves fast when you’re a teenager. One minute you finish primary school. The next you’re being asked to think about your career options.
It’s a big step up and it can be overwhelming. But the transition can be easier if you’ve spent a little time getting some life and work experience.
That’s what our Future Leaders Work Experience Programme is all about.
We’re giving exposure to, and coaching you, on the skills you need to be a leader in one of our kids’ programmes. Expect to flex your communication, empathy, problem solving, resilience and self-awareness muscles. It’s a fun and active way of investing in your future employability. And who knows, if you love it, one day you could be one of our team leaders.
*The programme is for 12-14-year-olds and is available on any of our The Rugby Universe’ sports or childcare programmes. If you’re doing Duke of Edinburgh, this experience counts towards the volunteering section.
It is a short work experience course in:
Working with kids
Facilitating activities
Providing operational support
Coaching
The framework of our future leader development:
Leadership Development
Volunteer experience
Employability skills
Community service
The Rugby Universe Programmes to choose from:
Tiny Tacklers Kids Rugby (weekly sessions for 18 month – 7 year olds)
Kids Camp (multi sports holiday camps for 5 to 11 year olds)
Kids Club (after school activities club for Year 3s to Year 6s)
The Rugby Universe Skills Sessions (Space Invaders, Transformers)
Rugby Camps by The Rugby Universe (for 7 to 12 year olds)
Parties (rugby and multi sports parties)
Skills - Future Leaders Programme:
We focus on skills that are valuable in sport, school, future employment, and in life. The programme is about developing capable young people, not just future coaches.
Skills to develop: The Eight Future Leader Skills
1. Communication
Learning how to communicate clearly and confidently with:
• Children
• Coaches
• Parents
• Teammates
Examples:
• Greeting families
• Explaining simple activities
• Speaking confidently in a group
• Listening actively
2. Leadership
Learning how to positively influence and support others.
Examples:
• Leading by example
• Encouraging participation
• Taking responsibility
• Supporting younger children
3. Teamwork
Understanding how to contribute to a team and help others succeed.
Examples:
• Working alongside coaches
• Supporting fellow Future Leaders
• Collaborating to solve problems
• Putting the team first
4. Responsibility
Developing reliability, accountability, and ownership.
Examples:
The Rugby Universe - Future Leaders Programme 2 6of• Arriving prepared and on time
• Looking after equipment
• Completing assigned tasks
• Following instructions
5. Confidence
Building self-belief through real-world experience.
Examples:
• Speaking in front of groups
• Leading activities
• Making decisions
• Trying new challenges
6. Problem Solving
Learning to think, adapt, and make good decisions.
Examples:
• Helping organise activities
• Responding to challenges
• Supporting children who need help
• Thinking independently
7. Organisation
Developing planning and time-management skills.
Examples:
• Session preparation
• Equipment setup and pack away
• Managing tasks
• Prioritising responsibilities
8. Professionalism
Learning behaviours expected in the workplace and wider community.
Examples:
• Positive attitude
• Respectful behaviour
• Appropriate appearance
• Representing The Rugby Universe values
The Rugby Universe Leadership Values
Alongside these skills, Future Leaders would embody rugby values:
• Respect
• Humility
• Trust
• Resilience
• Teamwork
• Discipline
These values are the foundation upon which the Future Leader’s skills are built.
