An impactful start for Mini’s Academy
Mini’s Academy has scooped its first award in the 373 Networking Group’s inaugural Business Awards.
Nic Sestaret, former Exeter Chief and one of the three co-founders of Mini’s Academy, a legacy of Exeter’s RWC2015 campaign, has dedicated the award to the city, explaining that winning the ‘Greatest Social Impact’ category is testament to everything the team is striving for.
“The ethos behind Minis Academy has always been to promote the social and health benefits of team sport by introducing primary school children to the character-building values of passion, respect, discipline and solidarity and by developing their core skills,” explained Nic.
He said: “This first award is testament to the power of belief and of taking action. We’ve had a fantastic start to the Academy, this year and have a great team driving it forward, helping children to foster self-esteem and confidence, as well as improving their fitness and supporting the academic curriculum.”
The Academy, which launched at Ide Primary School in Exeter earlier this year, runs after school clubs, holiday camps and birthday parties for 4 to 7 year olds across the South West.
Writer and co-founder Tracey Alison says the aim has always been to make a positive difference to young lives and to make rugby and an active lifestyle accessible to all.
Andrew Dudley, Exeter Chiefs Community Development Manager who co-ordinates delivery of Mini’s Academy sessions tweeted: “Great work from Mini’s Academy. It’s a great project headed up by some really passionate people.
“As rugby coaches, we often just look at rugby outcomes and whether our participants’ rugby skills have improved, so it’s great to know that we are making a difference inside the classroom, as well as outside of it,” he said.
The team was also shortlisted for ‘Best New Start Up’, just missing out on the title to brand development company Tor Creative.
The 373 Awards are run by the Devon based 373 Group, co-founded by business strategist Chris Lorimer and social media expert Tom Hope. The awards were hosted by The Deer Park Hotel in Honiton.
