Children put through their paces

MORE than 150 children took part in a tag rugby festival at Henley Rugby Club.

Year 1 and 2 pupils from Trinity, Shiplake, Peppard and Rupert House primary schools took part in a morning of fun on the artificial grass at the club, off Marlow Road.

They wore their schools’ long-sleeved sports kits, colourful bibs and “tags” before gathering for a briefing and introduction at around 10am.

The children were split into six smaller groups, which were managed by a coach who implemented game rules within plastic cones.

For the next hour, they ran around their sections, participating in a myriad of games, including “how many tags”, “beat the tagger”, “ball in and out” and “rob the nest”.

A snack break took place ahead of the mini matches at 11am before wrapping up the event with a celebratory group photo at 12.30pm.

This is the second year Francesca Grace Fitt, seven, of Shiplake Primary School, has attended. She said: “I thought it was really good. Last year was fun but I think they are equal. I really liked it when you had to put the balls in or out. I did run with the ball and I did manage to get a try.”

Over the last 12 weeks, performance coaches of the Player Reach Out Programme have been teaching children, offering two sessions per week.

It is designed to help children develop their knowledge of the sport, while at the same time learning the importance of teamwork, discipline and sportsmanship.

Chris Ellison, organiser of the programme, said it is now backed by Henley Educational Trust.

He said: “I was inspired by the 2003 Rugby World Cup and used a model from cricket, which I thought we could replicate. It was an opportunity to integrate tag rugby into schools with a view to providing an exit pathway for those children into the mini and junior section at Henley Rugby Club.

“The trust can see the benefits for the primary schools and we’re hugely grateful for their support and funding for the programme.”

He said that the Red Roses ' 33-13 win against Canada at the final of the women’s rugby world cup has influenced young girls to become more interested in the sport. Mr Ellison said: “Henley Rugby Club are starting to see the children that began in the programme, graduating into the senior age groups at the club.

“When you look around, the number of girls with smiles on their faces, having fun with their mates and being outside playing a great game, is brilliant.”