- Milton Kachecha of Northampton Saints’ HITZ programme wins Land Rover award
- HITZ Best Rugby Performer award, supported by Land Rover, recognises a youngster’s development on and off the rugby pitch
- Premiership Rugby’s HITZ programme uses rugby to motivate young adults to overcome their biggest challenges
- Land Rover has been a supporter of HITZ since 2013
Milton Kachecha of Northampton Saints’ HITZ programme has been awarded the accolade of HITZ Best Rugby Performer, supported by Land Rover, at the annual HITZ Awards in London this week.
Kachecha was adjudged to be the winner from a shortlist of three nominees that included youngsters from Harlequins and Exeter Chiefs’ HITZ programmes. Each nominee showcased their personal development on and off the rugby pitch, as a result of their participation in Premiership Rugby’s award‑winning sport for change programme.
Premiership Rugby’s HITZ programme aims to help young adults tackle some of the biggest challenges they face in their daily lives; educational, employment‑based or social. Using rugby as the motivator, HITZ equips its participants with the skills to overcome these hurdles and help them return to education or employment.
The shortlist for the HITZ Best Rugby Performer award, supported by Land Rover, was judged by a panel that included representatives from Land Rover as well as Premiership Rugby. The decision to name Kachecha this year’s Best Rugby Performer was informed by his impressive personal development since joining HITZ at Northampton Saints.
After moving from Zimbabwe with his father searching for better opportunities in England, Kechecha suffered low self‑esteem due to his academic difficulties, which was leading to him making bad life decisions. To halt this, he enrolled in the HITZ programme due to his interest in rugby. This quickly made the difference and has since given him the motivation with his studies and in the process attracted the attention of Northampton Saints development team, who identified a genuine rugby talent.
Scott Dicken and Land Rover ambassador Jason Robinson present Milton Kachecha with his HITZ award
Since moving to England, the HITZ programme has helped me settle into a new life and also given me a focus and direction. Before I joined HITZ I would be frustrated with my progress in the classroom but the lessons I have learnt on the rugby pitch I can apply to my studies.
Rugby has become a real passion of mine and I am excited to see how far I can take it. Getting the chance to train with Northampton Saints coaches is incredibly motivating, and receiving awards like this is even more encouragement to apply myself and keep going with HITZ.
Milton Kachecha
Recognising and rewarding the success of youngsters such as Milton is an important part of the HITZ process. These individuals are working hard to improve and develop themselves, and as a long standing supporter of the programme, Land Rover is proud to acknowledge these efforts.
Milton has shown how rugby can be a truly positive motivator in helping overcome personal challenges. In his case, equipping him with the tools and focus to tackle educational difficulties. Through rugby and HITZ, Milton has identified a passion and has a dream to play professional rugby. This highlights the value of the HITZ programme and hopefully his award spurs him on to pursue his ambitions.
