Murrayfield tour reward for schoolchildren

THE latest intake to an ambitious SRU programme launched to give teenagers the choice of learning through rugby rather than traditional schoolwork arrived at Murrayfield this week.

Pupils from Preston Lodge and Tranent high schools have started the Try for Life programme with support and funding from East Lothian Council.

They take 30 minutes out of class each day to learn life skills such as the value of teamwork, camaraderie, leadership and commitment, through rugby.

As part of the programme, they earned a tour of the national stadium and met internationalists Mike Blair and Ben Cairns, who showed them around.

SRU staff and club development officers work with groups of youngsters aged 14-18 years old through an intensive 12-week programme, where they learn to play and coach rugby.

The focus of the programme has initially been on urban or deprived areas with the SRU hopeful of achieving an increase in participation in schools and club rugby.

Yvonne Binks, head of guidance and depute head at Preston Lodge, said: "From the first session I noted a difference in the young people."