YOUNGSTERS at a Drakes Broughton school have enjoyed free professional rugby training sessions as part of a £800 community programme.
Year 3 and 4 pupils at St Barnabas CE First and Middle School pulled up their socks and took to the field on Wednesday (March 9), when Pershore Rugby Club (PRFC) volunteer coaches provided tag rugby training sessions.
Coun Val Wood, Chairman of Wychavon District Council also attended the school to support the club, which is aiming to give more than 100 youngsters from schools across the Vale the chance to play the sport as part of the council’s grant-funded ‘Clubs at School’ scheme.
Children from Pershore’s Cherry Orchard First School, Upton Snodsbury CE First School and Inkberrow First School also got the chance to take part in the free training programme.
Laura Lines, PRFC coach said: “It’s brilliant how many children we can now give this opportunity to and we’re saying to schools they should encourage children to have a go, not because they are necessarily good at rugby already, but because they will enjoy it.
“The £800 grant we’ve received from Wychavon is enabling us to buy new tags for around 150 children at our tournament as well as match balls and trophies.
“Coaches from Worcester Warriors are supporting our work in the schools too as we’re now a partner club.”
The youngsters had the chance to test out their new skills at a friendly tag tournament at PRFC’s Wyre Piddle grounds yesterday (Friday).
