A RUGBY legend presided over a scrum of North-East youngsters as he officially launched a new community initiative.

World Cup hero Lawrence Dallaglio shared his skills at The Northern Echo Arena in Darlington to kick-start the Powerful Together scheme.

The scheme has been launched in a bid to inspire young people to develop confidence and team building skills through outdoor pursuits, such as rugby.

The nationwide initiative is encouraging rugby clubs across the country to run Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) programmes for young rugby enthusiasts.

Working in conjunction with the Dallaglio Foundation and the Duke of Edinburgh project, the Mowden Park Community Scheme is now offering youngsters from Darlington the opportunity to join in at the home of the Mowden Park rugby club.

This morning Friday, February 20), teenagers from across the town took over the arena and enjoyed learning to put up tents before joining Dallaglio, a member of England's 1993 World Cup winning team, for a training session on the pitch.

The former England skipper said: “It’s a great opportunity for young kids to use the club as a means of getting themselves signed up to the Duke of Edinburgh scheme and it’s a very exciting project.

“It’s quite difficult being a young person today and this can improve their lives, no matter what kind of background they’re from.

“You are what you’re exposed to in life and I want to give these people some choices and decisions to make and get them involved as much as I can.

“This will help them to meet others, learn life skills, take on responsibility and get more self confidence.

“It gets them living and breathing the values of the rugby world, which is built around team work, dedication and having fun.”

He added: “Life is about sharing and helping people and when you’ve had a little bit of success, it comes with a responsibility to give back and I feel really positively about helping young people starting out.”

Eleanor Andrews, 17, was one of the team gearing up to train with Dallaglio.

She said: “I’m really interested in improving my communication and people skills and I think this is a great idea that will help to enhance job opportunities in the future.

“Today’s brilliant and is an opportunity to get involved and I think it will help all of us.”

Mowden Park Community manager Anne Rose said the club were looking forward to developing the DofE programme and thrilled to be offered the opportunity to deliver it.