At TackleLondon, every young person arrives with a story, often one shaped long before they ever meet us. For Max Shields, that story begins with extraordinary resilience.
Max has lived with a rare kidney condition for most of his life, spending long stretches of childhood where no child should have to: in hospitals, in waiting rooms, and in isolation from friends and routine. The impact was profound — disrupted schooling, limited social time, and a childhood framed by uncertainty.
So when Max first met the TackleLondon coaches through an Alternative Provision programme at Staines RFC, he carried that history with him. He was understandably nervous, quiet, and guarded. His emotions were big and close to the surface, and frustration was often his first line of defence.
But TackleLondon has never been about simply teaching rugby. It’s about offering patient guidance, consistency, boundaries, and adults who show up week after week with compassion and belief.
A Supportive Environment Built for Growth
At Staines RFC, the coaching team made one thing clear from the start:
rugby would be a safe space for Max – a place where he could connect, learn, and slowly trust.
They explain:
“When max came to us at Staines RFC, he was extremely nervous and quite stand offish at the beginning. Being quite an angry young man to start with, we have nurtured his behaviour and worked on making rugby his focus. Improving his skills and strengthening bonds.
Max has developed into a real character and has bonded with players and made some good friends. His attitude towards everything has improved significantly and his rational thought processes are now more coherent and positive in all aspects of his rugby life. He spends extra time after training sessions to practice his conversions and to improve himself when the opportunity presents itself.”
In that environment – calm, structured, and utterly without judgement – Max slowly allowed himself to grow.
A Visible Transformation
Week by week, something changed.
Max’s confidence began to take root. His outlook became more measured, his reactions more thoughtful, his presence more open. He started building strong friendships with teammates who understood him.
He learned how to pause.
How to breathe.
How to step away from anger and return with clarity.
And in time, the young person who once struggled to regulate big emotions became the one quietly encouraging others to stay calm.
His dedication is impossible to miss. Long after training ends, Max is still on the pitch – practising conversions, refining technique, chasing steady self-improvement. What once felt overwhelming is now something he owns with pride.
He has become, as his coaches say, a “real character”: loyal, funny, committed, and increasingly self-assured.
A Parent’s Insight: “It has changed his life”
Max’s mum has witnessed the transformation most closely of all. Her words speak not just to his progress, but to the relief of seeing her child happy, grounded, and thriving:
“Rugby has basically changed his life. Even yesterday – I wasn’t there – someone got a yellow card and your heart is still in your mouth, and I suddenly realised just how much this has helped him with his anger.
He was with a team that actually got him, which is mad because they’ve all got their little quirks. But I think he has genuinely found his niche.
I am the biggest advocate of it because it gives him a sense of purpose, and it has massively changed things: his aggression, his outlook, his ability to manage his emotions.
Eighteen months ago, I never would have thought he’d be the one telling everyone else to calm down — it would have been him going in full force.
And friendship-wise, it has taught him so many valuable lessons. If I’ve got a happy kid, I’ve got a happy life.”
Why Sport for Development Works
Max’s journey is a testament to what rugby can offer beyond the game itself:
Emotional Regulation
Learning to navigate pressure, conflict, and frustration in safe, supported ways.
Mentoring & Role Models
Calm, dependable adults who believe in you — even on the hard days.
Belonging & Friendship
A team that accepts you wholly, quirks and all. A place to feel understood.
Purpose & Motivation
Skills to build, goals to chase, and achievements to be proud of — on and off the pitch.
Max represents all of this. He represents what can happen when a young person is given space, patience, and belief.
We couldn’t be more proud of him.
Refer a Young Person to TackleLondon
If you know a young person who could benefit from confidence-building, emotional support, and a genuine sense of belonging, we’re here.