December 2008
The Prince's Trust and rugby in 2008
Richards goes back to school
London Irish and England rugby player Pete Richards visited
Chiswick Community School’s xl club earlier this year. A bicep
injury did not stop Pete giving a motivational talk to young people
about his time at school and how he became a rugby player.
Pete then cheered on the xl club as they took part in a tag
rugby session run by Rugby Football Union (RFU) coach Rory
Greenslade-Jones.
A day to remember
Welsh xl clubs met former international rugby player Scott
Quinnell. The group of 56 pupils grilled Quinnell on his
experiences on and off the pitch. The retired player also judged a
poster competition. The winner, Tasker Millward school, received
tickets to watch the Wales V France game.
The day continued with a tour of the renowned Millennium
Stadium, gaining insight to the workings of the grounds. The group
ended the day by watching the Welsh team practice for their vital
clash against France.
Pupils form guard of honour
Scotland’s Murrayfield stadium was invaded by 150 young people
from The Trust’s xl club at the Scotland V France game. The group
formed the guard of honour for the buses arriving for the game.
Each member of the nine participating schools was given a Scottish
flag to fly high.
Festival fun
Rugby professionals Josh Lewsey and Maggie Alphonsi joined 10
London based xl clubs at a tag rugby festival. Wasp’s Lewsey and
Saracen’s Alphonsi kicked of the afternoon with a Q&A session.
The players spoke about how they overcame barriers both on and off
the rugby pitch.
Lewsey later took to the pitch showing the young players his
winning technique. “From past experience, I know there’s nothing
much wrong with the youngsters, they just need the right guidance,
help or inspiration” he said.
International stars get grilled by young people
Scotland’s finest rugby players faced one of the toughest
interviews of their careers when they met young people from The
Prince’s Trust. Alan Jackobson, Steve Swindell, Sonia Cull and Beth
Dickinson took part in a Q&A session with pupils from nine
schools across Scotland.
The session, which followed a tag rugby tournament, uncovered
information about barriers that the players have faced and the
people they looked up to.
Wasps partnership of the season
Current Guinness Premiership rugby champions, London Wasps, are
pleased to have selected The Prince's Trust as one of their
official charities for the upcoming 08/09 season. This partnership
is the first of its kind for the club, providing lots of
opportunities for young people to take part in rugby based
activities whilst raising vital funds through a range of community
activities.
Saracens support
Saracens Sport Foundation has supported The Trust since 2006.
They help deliver part of The Trust’s Get into sport programme,
teaching young people to coach rugby as well as introducing them to
the players who help inspirethem to get involved with sport.
The course aims to build confidence, motivation and leadership
skills. In conjunction with The Trust, the Foundation is currently
planning the inaugural Power of Sport dinner which raises vital
funds to help young people.