State schools at forefront of rugby development scheme

Scottish Rugby and the Scottish Government yesterday launched a Schools of Rugby initiative which will see the sport introduced in 17 state secondary schools across Scotland.

The CashBack for Communities-funded programme will benefit from roughly £250,000, from the seized proceeds of crime each year, and will try to motivate and develop the skills of young people. It will also aim to create an environment where sport makes a significant contribution to the delivery of A Curriculum for Excellence.,

Scottish Rugby’s head of community rugby, Colin Thomson said: “Scottish Rugby believes that school sport plays an important role in the education of youngsters.

“Through the Schools of Rugby initiative we aim to develop youngsters into confident and competent individuals, showing the positive impact sport has on them and on school communities.

“We have established partnerships with 17 schools in Scotland, all of varying playing levels, who have committed to establishing and developing this initiative in their school community.

“We believe that, by working with the education sector and the selected schools, we will demonstrate the educational benefits of rugby to young people and their communities.”

The initiative will provide a context for learning inside and outside of the classroom, allowing all pupils to experience rugby and improve their fitness. Each School of Rugby will be supported with a package of resources, enabling more staff to deliver a rugby programme across the school including for a number of S1 pupils.

The broad programme consists of rugby teams at all ages, opportunities for the development of girls’ teams and non-playing opportunities for senior pupils, in rugby coaching, refereeing, volunteering and running sport in local primary schools and rugby clubs.

Quality Meat Scotland, an official sponsor of Scottish Rugby, will work with the Schools of Rugby to deliver nutritional workshops which will be supported by players from both Edinburgh Rugby and Glasgow Warriors.

Scottish Government Minister for Commonwealth Games and Sport, Shona Robison, said: “A number of the Scotland team currently at the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand learned and developed their skills and passion for rugby within the state school sector.

“This support from the initiative for Schools of Rugby is therefore assisting the next wave of aspiring young players, by providing them with more opportunities to encourage their future.”