RFU Presidents XV Award made to Witham RFC
Witham Rugby Club through Witham Junior Rugby has delivered a project to establish and develop links with secondary and primary schools in the Witham District.
The project has a number of distinct phases with the overall objective to encourage greater participation within rugby of school pupils, increase the participation rate within the junior section and to provide the future players for the senior side.
Phase 1 – tag rugby taster sessions - March to May 2006- were offered to primary schools in the Witham area. The session lasted 45 minutes and involved teachers in all activities. A total of three coaches supported each session, with all being CRB checked and RFU qualified, either tag or level 1.
Measures of success – approximately 5 – 6 new players per taster session, positive feedback from the primary schools and invitations for repeat sessions. Three primary schools participating; Howbridge Junior School, Powers Hall Primary School and Holy Family Primary School.
Phase 2 – school partnership May 2006– a formal partnership was established in May 2006 with Rickstones School, Witham. This comprises of
- school exclusively promoting Witham Junior Rugby;
- Witham Junior Rugby leading coaching sessions within the school;
- Joint training programmes supported for primary schools;
- Teachers gaining access to coaching development sessions;
- Sharing of equipment and facilities.
Measures of success – Witham Junior Rugby leading two year group training sessions; Under 13 / 14 squad increased from 1 to 31 players.
Phase 3 – Witham and District Schools Cup – December 2006-February 2007- a Tag Rugby competition will be hosted by Witham Junior Rugby for year 6 pupils from schools in the Witham area, with the planning complete by February 2007. Squads comprise of ten players of equal numbers of boys and girls. The Cup is aimed at schools and pupils who have had no experience of playing any form of Rugby.
The initial contact with schools has been made by the Deputy Head of one of the primary schools. It is planned that twelve schools will take part in the competition for the Witham Cup. In addition to the competition pupils who are not playing games will be taken through the RFU Skills Proficiency award, with schools being encouraged to embed the programme after the competition.
All pupils taking part will receive a participation certificate along with the School. The event will be promoted in the local press to raise the profile of the club and rugby in general. The event is endorsed by the RFU Essex Development Officer and Saracens RFU Witham’s premiership team partner.
Measures of Success – all schools in the Witham area taking part in the Schools Cup, rugby being talked about in schools during the six nations and Rugby World Cup. Increased number of players within the Junior section.
We believe that this project should be recognised as it embeds rugby at grass roots level within a local community, offering a structured and safe playing environment for both pupils and staff to experience rugby and provides solid foundations for the sustainability of rugby within the local area. To date the project activity has been conducted on a voluntary basis within no external financial support being received.
