EDF Energy Cup - : When did you first pick up a rugby ball?

EDF Energy National Schools Rugby Programme

Many schools get to play at EDF Energy Cup and Guinness Premiership games

When did you first pick up a rugby ball?

25 January 2008, 2:33 pm

By Dan Pritchard

For tens of thousands of youngsters, the answer could be through the EDF Energy National Schools Rugby Programme.

And if you have a son or daughter aged 8-10, perhaps their school is already part of the programme, one of the most comprehensive in world rugby and involving every Guinness Premiership side and Cornish Pirates and Exeter Chiefs, from National League One.

More than 500 schools have been involved since the programme began in January 2007.

“We had parents’ evening last week and some of the year five parents were coming up to me thanking me and saying just how great it had been and how much they appreciate it,” said Nicky Rosewell, headteacher at Grange School, in Harrow, one of dozens of schools who have worked with Saracens.

In just one year, 50,000 children have been introduced to the sport through the programme. Professional coaches work with schools over six weeks, with the focus on teaching the basic skills through tag rugby, so youngsters can then progress on to rugby union.

Every school also gets to play at regional festivals run by the clubs, with some schools also playing half-time demonstration games at EDF Energy Cup and Guinness Premiership matches.

And 20 schools will get the chance to play tag rugby in front of tens of thousands of fans at this year’s EDF Energy Cup semi-finals at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday March 22, and the final at Twickenham Stadium, on Saturday April 12.

Mark McCafferty, Chief Executive of Premier Rugby, is delighted with how the programme is going.

"The EDF Energy National Schools Rugby Programme continues to go from strength to strength and is a great example of a business and a sports organisation working together for the benefit of the community.

“Our clubs have worked exceptionally hard in their regions to collectively deliver a national programme, encouraging schools to take up rugby and leaving a rugby legacy for years to come. It is heartening to think that another Toby Flood, Matthew Tait or Tom Rees could have just started playing rugby thanks to one of our programmes."
Hannah Pirnie is Community Foundation Manager at Saracens.

She said: “It’s been a great success. The children tell us they really look forward to each session. As well as getting fit through exercise, pupils learn from top level Premiership coaches and get the chance to meet Premiership players which definitely helps to bridge the gap between the elite game and the grassroots level.

“The programme also allows the club to engage with schools within our area that we haven’t worked with before, and introduce a whole new set of people to rugby, which is fantastic.”

All club websites carry information on their involvement with the EDF Energy National Schools Rugby Programme, or for latest news, go to www.edfenergyrugby.com