THERE may have been a draw on the field but participants in a tough-tackling rugby initiative have claimed a much bigger victory off it.

Last week the School of Hard Knocks (SoHK) charity, which aims to help unemployed men find a route back into work, brought the curtain down on its eight-week course at Dunfermline Rugby Club.

The project, delivered in partnership with Fife Community Police, uses a mixture of motivational classes and rugby training to equip the 20 men from West Fife taking part with the tools to make a positive step in their lives.

The course provided two weekly, half-day classes with breakfast provided before rugby training, lunch and classroom services throughout the afternoon.

Aimed at over-18s, it is designed to get people moving forward in their lives when they had barriers like a lack of confidence, personal tragedy or criminal history stopping them.

The classes approached subjects such as goal-setting and interview techniques, and allowed those taking part to attain a Community Achievement Award and Employability Award from Edinburgh College.

Last Tuesday the participants - all of whom were out of work, with some having had previous convictions - graduated from the course, having also written their own CVs, taken part in mock interviews and explored their fears and barriers.

They also received a motivational visit by ex-Dunfermline player, and Edinburgh Rugby captain, Fraser McKenzie, and before the graduation ceremony, attended by Scotland cap Murray McCallum, a match between SoHK and police officers took place at McKane Park, and ended in a 32-all draw.

Rosanna Innes, programme manager, said: "This course aims to give those taking part a new sense of confidence, improve their self-esteem and ultimately help them find a new job or career.

"We want everyone leaving here feeling empowered."

Cowdenbeath Community Sergeant, Caine McIntyre, is a SoHK mentor and added: "This project has seen huge success, with many of the participants making big strides forward in their lives towards achieving new goals.

"I have been fortunate to have met and worked with the participants and would personally like to thank them for the contributions they have made, and wish them well with their future endeavours."

Following the conclusion of the course, some of participants have taken up rugby training with Dunfermline, while the charity will launch a schools programme in Scotland next month, to which five of the Kingdom's schools have signed up for.