Young people in Croydon and Hounslow are being offered the opportunity to take part in a new inner city rugby programme.

They are among six boroughs in which the programme, launched by the Active Communities Network, the Metropolitan Police Service, Premier Rugby, the Rugby Football Union and Wooden Spoon, plans to introduce young people to tag, touch and contact rugby, helping build confidence and inspiring players of the future.

One of the goals of the programme is to provide positive activity at a time when some young people are at risk of drifting into crime or anti-social behaviour.

Looking at the success of similar programmes in America and using other sports, the sessions are delivered in the evening in venues where young people tend to congregate.

This includes venues like Haggerston Park in Hackney, Burgess Park in Southwark and Rosemary Gardens in Islington. Taster sessions have been delivered on rough grass areas and cages on estates to engage young people.

Harlequins, London Irish and Saracens have all been involved in the delivery of the project and the Exiles' England international wing Topsy Ojo was joined by two internationals from Saracens; South African international hooker Schalk Brits and US Eagle Hayden Smith and centre Tosh Masson from Harlequins.

Alongside the rugby element of each session, the Metropolitan Police Service ensure their Safer School Teams and Safer Neighbourhood Teams have a regular presence to break down barriers between young people and the police in each borough.

The teams also talk to young people about important issues in their area, like firearms, knives and drugs.

Tolu Ige is 17 year old boy from Southwark who was involved in the pilot programme in 2007 has remained involved ever since. Tolu said, "I have really enjoyed being part of the Hitz programme. I didn't really know anything about rugby, but the guys who have delivered the programme have made it really fun and you get to meet people from other estates. When you are out on the street, being at the rugby means we know each other and that breaks down barriers."

Richard Hill, the former Saracens, England and British and Irish Lions star and now Wooden Spoon ambassador said, "It's great to see rugby being used as the basis of a project like this, working with young people who often have no previous knowledge or even interest in the sport. Rugby is an inclusive game, and what this project shows is that it's the core values of rugby, such as respect, teamwork and sportsmanship can make a difference, not only to develop the rugby skills of participants, but also be part of helping them fulfil their potential as individuals.

"An important part of the programme is using rugby to teach people about aggression and control. Rugby teaches you to deal with physical contact, respect your opponent and the environment and to channel your aggression in a positive way.

"There must be plenty of corporate and government partners who could really add to this programme and allow us to grow it even further. I'd love us to take in more London boroughs in the future and even take it into other cities in England."

Deputy Commissioner Tim Godwin, of the Metropolitan Police Service said, "As a rugby fan I know what the sport can give to young people, fun, fitness, pride, teamwork and discipline.

“Hitz is about taking those positive skills to young people in our city to give them the opportunity to benefit from the sport rather than hanging around wondering what to do next.

“I am proud that the Metropolitan Police Service is a key partner in this initiative."

Gary Stannett MBE, CEO of Active Communities Network said, "Active Communities Network is a charity that has long been committed to the use and promotion of sports, arts and cultural activities to improve youth citizenship, social inclusion and community cohesion.

“We are very pleased to be able continue our work with rugby union in pursuit of these goals in some of our most marginalised communities through our staff and resource investments in the Hitz project, and I am certain the project will have a positive impact on the lives of the young people taking part in it."

Hitz has been jointly funded by The Metropolitan Police Service, London Active Communities, Premier Rugby, the Rugby Football Union and Wooden Spoon.