NOTTINGHAM Rugby's Community Department has delivered
nearly 250 hours of coaching to children in city schools since
September, with Djanogly City Academy, Bluecoat Academy and
Emmanuel School being the three main
beneficiaries.
Modern fun:
Nottingham Moderns were Partner Club with the Green and Whites at
Meadow Lane recently.
This programme has been designed to link the three schools
directly into Nottingham Moderns Rugby Club's junior section.
The scheme has been delivered by Andy Tither (Level 3 RFU Coach and
Coach Educator) who works for the club's community department.
Tither said: "The programme has been great to introduce
rugby to large numbers of young people during curriculum time, but
most importantly in supporting the schools to prepare teams for the
city competitions which have been held at Moderns and are organised
by the School Sport Partnership Manager, Nick Robb."
Nottingham Rugby first team and community manager Steve
Smith added: "It has been great to be able to work with so many
young people and commit so much time and resource to a small number
of schools.
"The links we have with Nottingham Moderns are great and they
are really opening their doors to reach out to young people in the
city. We have a fun coaching session planned which will
involve all three schools at Moderns on Friday afternoon and most
of these young players are our guests in the crowd tonight."
"Nottingham back rower Rupert Cooper has been visiting the
schools, which has enabled us to take a professional athlete to
young players and using him as a really positive role model."
Several primary schools have also been visited by the community
team and players recently. Stars of the Green and Whites have also
picked up the whistle to referee at several of the recent
Nottingham City Secondary School festivals.
Cooper said: "The kids are really up for the contact side of
things and there has been plenty of talent I have seen within the
city schools system.
"We just want to try our hardest to get the kids into their most
local club and for many this will be Moderns, who have a great
junior set up."
Moderns were recently Nottingham Rugby's Matchday Partner Club
which saw youngsters get the chance to be inspired up
close and personal, appearing at Meadow Lane as mascots, flag
bearers and ball boys and girls.
Smith said: "Rugby in the city continues to grow and we look
forward to the day when one of these young players being introduced
to game wears the famous green and white shirt!"