Growing the game in Carlisle
Carlisle RFC’s first rugby touch festival for Year 6 schoolchildren saw 140 youngsters enjoying an action-packed tournament.
Organised by the club’s Youth Development Officer, Ross Cooke, the event included teams from Scotby, St Margaret Mary, Warwick Bridge, and Upperby in a round robin touch rugby tournament at Warwick Road.
Medals were presented to all competitors at the end of the tournament by club President, Sue Glendinning, and the winners of the trophy, in a close final match against Upperby, were St Margaret Mary.
All the pupils were winners, however, as they thoroughly enjoyed playing at the end of their last term before senior school. All were a credit to their junior schools as they demonstrated rugby’s core values of teamwork, respect, enjoyment, discipline and sportsmanship.
Club volunteers helped Ross run the day, and five referees took charge of matches. Ross, who has been working with these schools over the summer term, said it was great to see so many of the children taking part and having fun.
“Enjoyment is what rugby is all about and all the children also leaned skills like teamwork, communication, co-operation, and developed their hand eye co-ordination.”
Ross has been gradually working his way around the city where schools have identified a need for rugby training, with some very positive feedback from the schools about the work he is doing.
Building after covid
Said club Secretary David Morton: “Appointing Ross as Youth Development Officer, is part of the club’s determination to build numbers after the covid pandemic. This will take a couple of years to achieve but we want to get young players involved as early as possible and hopefully, this tournament will have helped.”
Ross, who currently plays full back for Tynedale in National 2, as well as for Poland, his grandfather having come to the UK from Poland aged 18, explained that Carlisle
is a predominantly football city and the rugby club are intent on growing an understanding of and interest in rugby, especially among youngsters.
“We have been hit by covid and need to rebuild. I came into my role in May and focused on Year 6 before they went on to secondary school. Next season I will be in both primary and secondary schools, there being a real appetite for rugby development in the senior schools.
From Lincoln to Poland
“I’ve played for various clubs as I’ve moved around the country, from Lincoln where I grew up to the University of Gloucester, Nuneaton and Old Patesians, to Kelso and Gala when I worked locally.
"Playing for Poland and having just been promoted into Georgia and Romania’s league, has given me lots of Polish friends. I like to think those of us with Polish heritage are putting something back and helping with the development of the sport there.
"My grandfather, who was very proud when I played for Poland U20, didn’t live to see me play for their international team but being part of the squad has been a really big part of me getting in touch with those roots.”
PE co-ordinators or headteachers in local primary or secondary schools who need rugby input for pupils and teachers, can contact Ross at YDO@carlislerugby.club
