Star players from the Guinness Premiership including Saracens and England captain Steve Borthwick, Jonny Wilkinson, Paul Sackey and Matt Stevens kick off a partnership with ChildLine today (17th November) that aims to help over quarter of a million children get help to tackle bullying.

Boys and girls aged 6 to 11 across England will take part in the specially devised rugby programme; 'Kicking Bullying Into Touch', which will see each of the 12 Premiership Clubs and National Division One team Leeds Carnegie taking anti-bullying training into 780 primary schools over the next 18 months.1

The partnership launches at the start of national Anti-Bullying Week (17th to 21st November) and marks the beginning of a wider awareness raising and fundraising partnership between ChildLine and the Guinness Premiership. As part of the programme, the Guinness Premiership will make round twenty a special round of matches designed to raise awareness and funds for ChildLine, as they did so successfully last season with Breast Cancer Care.

Last year ChildLine counselled 32,562 children calling about bullying - on 0800 1111 - around 18% of all children counselled by the free helpline provided by the NSPCC.

Saracens and England captain Steve Borthwick said: "Kids get singled out for all sorts of reasons and sometimes bullies will have a go at you just because you're seen as being big and tough. Being part of a team where everyone is different means you need to play to each other's strengths and work together to get a winning result.

"No one should put up with being bullied but you have to deal with it safely. Sometimes you might not agree with a team mate, but it's vital that differences are sorted out with the coach in a respectful manner and that people aren't left bearing grudges. I'm really looking forward to working with children in schools through the ChildLine partnership and helping with Kicking Bullying Into Touch."

Founder and President of ChildLine Esther Rantzen said: "Bullying can devastate children's lives and it's vital that all children know bullying is wrong and how to get help if it happens to them. Taking part in sport like rugby can build teamwork skills and respect for others.

"As the daughter of a rugby player, the widow of a rugby player, and the mother of a rugby player, I am delighted that Premier Rugby has chosen to work with ChildLine and I hope this partnership will also raise awareness of ChildLine with families, as well as help raise the vital funds for our Child's Voice Appeal so that 500,000 more children every year will be counselled by ChildLine volunteers by 2011."

Premier Rugby's Community Manager Wayne Morris said, "The Kicking Bullying Into Touch programme is a great way for us to use our unique assets, namely our club brands and players, to tackle an issue that is very high on the government's agenda. Rugby thrives on its diversity, where all different types of people come together to create a successful team. By using some of the key skills in the game, within the inclusive environment rugby generates, we believe the programme will make a real difference to the lives of young children."