Hitz is an inner city rugby programme targeting communities where young people are felt to be at risk of exclusion and anti-social behaviour. Both of the teams playing at Wembley. Harlequins and Saracens are involved in delivering the programme, as are London Irish.

Young people from Ealing, Hackney, Hounslow, Islington and Southwark converged on Haggerston Park in Hackney on Friday 16th April, to take part in the tag, touch, skills and contact sessions that ran from 11am to 6pm.

All the young people who took part in the session had the opportunity to go to Wembley to watch Saracens play Harlequins the following day.

The afternoon began with a stadium tour, before the youngsters met the Saracens squad and took part in a Q&A with the players. For most of the Hitz participants it was their first time watching live rugby union and they were treated to an eight try spectacular as Saracens ran out 37-18 winners in front of nearly 50,000 supporters.

Hitz runs regular sessions in Hackney; on Mondays in Hackney Downs from 4pm to 6pm, on Wednesdays at Power League on Worship Street from 5pm to 6pm and on Fridays in Haggerston Park from 4pm to 6pm.

Rosemary Gardens Park in Islington also hosts a Saturday afternoon session, running from 2pm to 4pm.

For details of the those sessions call Max at Saracens on 07825 868 761 or view details of all the sessions at www.hitzrugby.com

The Hitz programme is also supported by Active Communities Network, The Metropolitan Police Service, The Rugby Football Union and Wooden Spoon.