The programme, sponsored by Aviva, is run by all twelve Premiership Rugby Clubs. Aviva's generous commitment enables us to develop grassroots rugby in schools where this sport is largely a new experience for all the young children involved. The programme teaches Tag Rugby to Year 3 students, and often this is the first taste of rugby these pupils will have had.
Fifty schools will receive instruction for their Year 3 classes in the basic skills and rules of Tag Rugby, followed by attending a Festival of Rugby at a local rugby club. Teachers from the school will receive Teacher Education in Tag Rugby, together with equipment so that they continue Tag Rugby delivery after the course ends. All the children are invited down to their local rugby club for an Aviva Transition Day to encourage them to play more regularly.
The six week course is aligned to the national curriculum and PE syllabus and designed to unearth the next generation of rugby stars. The number of children who will have taken part in the scheme, delivered by the twelve Aviva Premiership Rugby clubs, by the end of this season will be enough to fill Twickenham Stadium. One school from each Premiership Rugby club region will qualify for the Finals at Twickenham on Aviva Premiership Rugby Final day, where they will represent their Premiership Rugby club.
Pictured are pupils from Irlam Endowed Primary School taking part in the programme this term, with the club's famous mascot Sharky.
If you would like to find out more about the Aviva Premiership Rugby Schools Tag Programme, please contact community@salesharks.com or see our page on the Sale Sharks web site.
