Primary school pupils had a fun introduction to tag rugby on Wednesday and it’s hoped the experience will lead to a lifetime’s involvement in sport.
More than 320 Year 2 and 3 pupils from 26 schools participated in the Sure Primary School Fun Tag Rugby Festival, part of a wider programme of events that’s generously supported by the telecoms company.
Michael Haslett, Community Sports Development Officer with the Sports Development Unit (SDU), part of Manx Sport and Recreation (MSR), said: ‘Pupils enjoyed a fun introduction into tag rugby, with the emphasis on enjoying and learning the rudiments of the game.
‘Creating positive sporting experiences for children is an essential element of our philosophy and we hope it leads to lifelong involvement in sports and physical activity, which is good for health and wellbeing.’
In the run up to the event at the NSC, qualified MSR coaches visited the 23 schools that are signed up to the Community Coach Programme to run tag rugby sessions.
Volunteers from rugby clubs acted as referees and coaches at the festival. Michael said the links they forged with schools local to them will enable them to highlight the opportunities there are to play the sport outside school.
The day was attended by Rugby Football Union representatives from the UK, including Dave Westhead, Regional Development Officer for Cheshire, who commented: ‘This has been a fantastic event. To see the number of children engaged and having such fun has been a great experience and it is a format that I will look to develop across Cheshire.’
Sarah Jarvis, Marketing Manager for Sure, commented: ‘Sure is proud to support the Primary Schools’ Sports programme, as it brings access to a range of sports, some healthy fun and great team-building skills to so many young people.
‘Having representatives attending from the RFU just underlines the importance of these big events. They are incredibly well organised by the SDU team. I look forward to the rest of the programme. There’s always plenty for schools to get involved with.’
Michael said: ‘We’d like to thank Sure for its continued support of the Primary School Sports’ Programme, the volunteers who helped us run the event, the schools for their support of the event and, most importantly, the children, who stole the show – highlighting a bright future for continued sporting success on the Isle of Man.’
