Sale local shortlisted for rugby award

Romeece Dillon from the Sale Sharks Foundation has been shortlisted for the Young Achiever Award at the 2023 Premiership Rugby HITZ Awards. 

Romeece Dillon, Sale Sharks Foundation

The event is scheduled for November 22nd at Twickenham Stadium, where his achievements on and off the rugby pitch will be celebrated.

For the past 15 years, the Premiership Rugby HITZ program has been making a significant impact by supporting young people across England to make positive life changes.

This flagship education and employability initiative, which serves over 2,000 14–24-year-olds annually, instils rugby’s core values to develop essential personal, life and employability skills. These skills help young individuals return to education, training, apprenticeships, and employment, leading to life-changing outcomes.

Romeece Dillon has been shortlisted for his inspiring journey marked by self-discipline, commitment, and immense courage.

He has defied all odds to enhance his own life and that of his fellow participants in the “HITZ family.”

Aimee Gray, education manager at Sale Sharks Foundation, said “We are incredibly proud of Romeece for being shortlisted and for his hard work which has been recognised. We have an amazing team here at the Sale Sharks Foundation and we couldn’t deliver the HITZ programme without their support to set young people up for life, which has a positive impact not only on the individual but on our whole community.”

Wayne Morris, community & CSR director at Premiership Rugby said: “Congratulations to all those shortlisted in this season’s HITZ awards. Over the last 15 years, the success rate of the programme speaks for itself, HITZ has helped over 80% of the learners move on positively. The HITZ Awards are an annual celebration of just how much rugby can change lives and the difference HITZ makes. Everyone involved in the programme should feel proud of the impact that they have made, and I look forward to celebrating together at Twickenham in November.”

Romeece Dillon’s path to the Young Achiever Award has been marked by numerous challenges, including mental health struggles, a challenging home environment and a turbulent educational journey.

Suffering from ADHD without receiving appropriate medication, Romeece was often misunderstood and frequently removed from classes, eventually leading to permanent exclusion and placement in a pupil referral unit.

In 2022, Romeece joined the HITZ program with his mother, seeking a “final chance” at education where his challenges would be understood and addressed. Since enrolling, Romeece has worked tirelessly to manage his ADHD triggers and express his needs effectively. This effort has resulted in Level 2 qualifications in both Maths and English, improved confidence and self-worth.

Most notably, Romeece has secured a construction apprenticeship with Connolly LTD, a partner company with Sale Sharks HITZ, paving the way for his dream of owning a kitchen fitting business.