World Cup Legacy in Action – 86,500 children have taken up rugby as part of All Schools
With the World Cup just months away a tangible legacy for rugby union is being created with 86,500 children who wouldn’t normally have access to rugby having taken up the sport with nearly 3,000 competitive games played* through the England Rugby All Schools programme.
Regional rugby festivals are taking place across the country for schools taking part in All Schools with a recent event held for year seven and eight pupils from six schools across north London and Hertfordshire (list below) at Allianz Park, the home of London Saracens.
Current England Womens player Vicky Fleetwood and former England international Maggie Alphonsi were on hand to help run the event alongside rugby development officers from the RFU and volunteers from CBRE, the commercial property firm and principal partner of England Rugby All Schools.
Guy Gregory of CBRE, said:
“Taking part in sport not only has long-term health and well-being benefits but it also develops the so called ‘soft skills’ of communication, teamwork and confidence that over a lifetime will boost employability. There is a great opportunity for business to play a role in encouraging more children, particularly girls to engage in sport. This is why we are proud to be the principal partner of England Rugby’s All Schools programme that aims to create a positive legacy for one million children from a diverse range of backgrounds through rugby and its core values.”
All Schools represents one of the RFU’s major legacy programmes to increase participation in rugby in England with the aim of increasing the number of secondary schools playing rugby union by an extra 400 by 2015. This will be increased to 750 extra schools by 2019
Allianz Park participating schools
Adeyfield, Hemel Hempstead
Astley Cooper School, Hemel Hempstead
Whitefield, Barnet
Feltham Community College, Feltham
John Warner School, Hoddesdon
Barnwell, Stevenage
