By KLTV Newsdesk –

Pivot Group event helps young people with special educational needs build confidence, communication skills and resilience

The Pivot Academy Kirklees welcomed Huddersfield Giants legend Eorl Crabtree for a special ‘No Pen Day’ designed to help young people with special educational needs develop communication skills, confidence and resilience.

The event, held on Wednesday 20 May 2026, was organised by Pivot Group, a specialist independent education provider supporting young people across Leeds and Kirklees, as part of its commitment to connecting learners with inspiring figures from the wider community.

The visit was hosted by Oliver Roberts, Pivot’s Site Lead for the Pivot Outreach Programme (POP).

Roberts, also a former professional rugby league international who represented Ireland, enjoyed a career with clubs including the Huddersfield Giants, Bradford Bulls, Sheffield Eagles, Salford Red Devils and Oldham RLFC.

He now uses his sporting experience to support young people through Pivot’s community outreach work.

Building confidence through conversation

No Pen Day replaces traditional classroom activities with structured conversation, group discussion and question-and-answer sessions.

The initiative is designed to strengthen verbal communication skills, encourage confidence when speaking with unfamiliar people, and reassure learners that challenges such as anxiety, setbacks and uncertainty about the future are experiences shared by many.

Speaking after meeting learners and staff, Crabtree said: “It’s fantastic to be asked by Oliver to meet the learners and staff at Pivot Academy. Everybody experiences struggles, setbacks and challenges in everyday life, regardless of whether you’re a professional sportsperson, working a 9-to-5, or in an educational setting.

“What matters is how you respond, who you surround yourself with, and whether you’re willing to ask for help.

“Seeing how these learners are supported in this way is really inspiring.”

‘The conversations today were genuinely powerful’

Oliver Roberts said the event reflected the core aims of the Pivot Outreach Programme.

“Days like this are exactly what the Pivot Outreach Programme is about. Sport gave me so much, structure, community, resilience, a sense of who I am. I want our learners to feel that too, whatever their interest is,” he said.

“Whether it’s rugby league, athletics, gaming, or anything else that connects them with other people and gives them a sense of belonging, those environments matter.

“We’re incredibly grateful to Eorl, for giving his time and being so open with our young people. The conversations today were genuinely powerful.”