EDF Energy Programme Off To Flying Start

Sale Sharks have been coaching tag rugby in primary schools in the north of Manchester as part of the EDF Energy National Schools Rugby Programme (NSRP). The programme is one of the most comprehensive in world rugby and will involve close to 100,000 nine to ten-year-old boys and girls, along with teachers at primary schools across England. Schools where rugby has never been played before will be targeted. The girls from Cheetham Church of England Community School take a break from tag-rugby to meet Sharky. Jason Robinson, team captain at Sale Sharks, said: "We?re delighted to be involved in the EDF Energy National Schools Rugby Programme. This is about getting children excited and involved in a great sport, and producing the future players and fans of the game. The schools receiving coaching this half-term are Charlestown Community Primary School, Cheetham Church of England Community School, New Moston Primary School and Cheetwood Community Primary School. The programme involves Sale Sharks coaches doing 5 weeks of tag rugby coaching at each school then hosting a festival for them to enjoy, meet Sharky and a couple of the Sharks players. The programme is completely free of charge as EDF Energy generously funds the nationwide programme. Paul Barnes, headteacher at Cheetham Church of England Community School, said: ?We?re delighted to be one of the first schools to take part in the new EDF Energy National Schools Rugby Programme. We all need to encourage children to get active and take part in sport, and tag rugby is a great way to do that.? Above - The boys from Cheetham School enjoyed Sharky's visit and Jason with kids at the EDF Energy launch. View the Sharks news archives