EDF Energy Cup - : Vaughan Again

EDF Energy National Schools Rugby Programme

Children at Vaughan First and Middle School

Vaughan Again

25 January 2008, 12:25 pm

By Dan Pritchard

Once you’ve got the bug you just can’t stop! Schools across the country are now regularly playing tag rugby despite initial reservations from some primary teachers who, faced with a new sport, didn’t always know where to start.

Getting professional community coaches into schools is helping secure the long-term future of rugby.

The enthusiasm and skills they pass on to the children, and the confidence they give to teachers to coach, is just what’s needed if primary schools are going to make tag rugby a key part of their sports and fitness curriculum.

After taking part in the EDF Energy National Schools Rugby Programme, Vaughan First and Middle School in Harrow decided to keep the momentum going by staging their very own Tag Rugby festival.

Clare Brown, teacher and sports co-ordinator, organised a festival for all children in year five, which, with tag belts and balls from EDF Energy, saw 58 children taking part in a rugby festival for the very first time.

Sam Fulling and Alex Austerberry, Saracens Foundation Community Development Officers, helped run the festival, with Clare and a fellow teacher also coaching and acting as referrees.

Clare said: "The children thoroughly enjoyed all the sessions and learnt so much. Above all they had fun and that is most important. And we know that lots of children are interested in joining a club.”

Alien Invasion (movement), Golden Egg (handling), and Dancing Feet (speed and agility work), were amongst the training sessions run by Sam and Alex, in preparation for the festival.

Clare added: “The children have really impressed with their enthusiasm and the speed of their development. Seven weeks ago rugby was alien to some of them, and now they look right at home playing rugby.”

Vaughan and nine others local schools are taking part in the latest EDF Energy National Schools Rugby Programme tag festival hosted by Saracens on February 1.