Members of the Bradford Bulls are swapping the rugby field for the classroom in a bid to raise academic standards.

The team has become the first professional sports club in the country to join a scheme to give children falling behind at school a boost.

Three members of the Bradford Bulls first team squad, Alex Wilkinson, Craig McDowell and Gareth Handford, plus 17 Super League trainees at the club have gained a Mentor Award, which qualifies them to give guidance to pupils who need a little extra help.

Paul Medley, who retired from playing last season and is now development officer for the Odsal club, said it was good news.

"It is really good for the kids and it's great to be able to give something back to the community."

The 20 Bradford Bulls had to undergo a ten-week training programme lasting a total of 30 hours to gain the skills vital to help the young people.

They aim to provide non-authoritarian role models for students not much younger than themselves.

"They will use their newly-developed skills and their standing in the community to give support to the children of Bradford," said Bradford Bulls' spokesman Stuart Duffy.

All of the 20 teenagers taking part have been nominated as needing extra guidance by Bradford Council education officers. They are from all over the city.

So far, they have been given season tickets to watch all the Bulls games and have been invited to the stadium to take part in team-building exercises as well as seminars to develop things like communication skills or interview technique.

"Our trainees and members of the first team are not that much older than the kids themselves. They have not long been away from school and they can relate to what the mentorees want."

Craig Brown, who is 19 and one of the Super League trainees at the club, said he was delighted to be taking part.

"It is great to work with the children and give them the help you can."

The Bradford Bulls mentoring scheme runs in line with the Government's plans to boost community involvement in education. Bradford Council and West Yorkshire Police are among the organisations which successfully operate them.

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