DONCASTER are playing their part in helping prisoners re-enter society following their release.
The club are involved in the Reduce Reoffending programme, which focuses on prisoner rehabilitation, community reintegration and addressing underlying causes like lack of housing and employment, and addiction.
Chief executive Carl Hall, forwards Suaia Matagi and Pauli Pauli and former player Quentin Laulu-Togaga’e have all taken part in delivering sessions.
Former New Zealand and Samoa international Matagi, 38, draws on personal experience, having been handed a three-year prison sentence at 17.
He only took up Rugby League after being released, going on to play in both the NRL and Super League as well as the World Cups of 2013 and 2017.
Now in his third season at Doncaster, he told the club website: “It’s an eight-week programme.
“The first week is always the hardest because it’s about building the trust of those taking part and trying to break down the walls they have inevitably and understandably put up.
“But once I share my journey with them and show them through my experiences that they can change their lives and have a better future, you start to see the trust and hope coming through.
“We encourage them to take responsibility and ownership of their actions and their lives and it’s incredibly humbling to see people who don’t think they can change actually be changed.
“It’s been amazing to see everyone get engaged with the programme and I think the way it’s delivered by Carl, Pauli, QLT and myself is a big part of that.
“The feedback we’ve had from those that have left prison and changed their outlook on life is so humbling and I’m really looking forward to the programme growing in the future.”