Fairstead Primary School win year 5 and 6 schools rugby tag tournament after partnership with West Norfolk Rugby Club

A year-long partnership between primary schools and West Norfolk Rugby Club culminated in a rugby tag tournament earlier this month.

Coaches from West Norfolk Rugby Club started an initiative last September that saw them partner with 12 local primary schools and provide 20 hours of rugby sessions for year 5 and 6 pupils in each school.

The winner-takes-all tournament saw year 5 and 6 teams from Denver, Fairstead, Greyfriars, Holy Cross, Nelson, Sandringham, South Wootton and St Martha's Primary schools battle it out for the chance to lift the trophies in each age group.

The day started in the pouring rain with all concerned huddling under the shelter of the newly-finished changing rooms, being patient and waiting for the weather to ease.

With eight teams playing at any time, the coordination and time-keeping was slick from the start, helped by some of the youth section from the club who are sports leaders in local schools. The volunteer coaches and referees kept the games focused and enjoyable.

Georgie Lingham (GB 7s) and Jess Milnes (Loughborough Lightning Academy) were on hand to inspire the children and chat with them throughout the course of the tournament.

They even got the chance to race Lingham during the lunch break - and a couple kept up with her for a good 50m!

In a close competitive set of games, the year 5 winners were Fairstead Community Primary and Nursery School who lifted the trophy with five wins.

The year 6 winners came down to the last game with Denver and Fairstead going into it having won every match. Yet again, it was Fairstead taking the win and completing the double.

Once the trophies and a medal for every child, presented by Lingham, were awarded the children had photos and dance-offs under the balcony with lots of smiles and laughter from all.

Coach James Burroughs, Schools Lead, said: "It’s been a brilliant day of rugby and a great end to the work and effort from all the children who have taken part in our programme.

“It’s been an absolute pleasure to have been able to bring rugby into these local schools and see the way the children and schools have taken it forward.

“None of this would have been possible without the volunteers from the club giving up their time and Active Norfolk who gave us the funding to achieve this. We are especially grateful to Becky Gillick for the support and advice she has given us.

“We are looking to make this a yearly event and continue our coaching within schools. We aim to give more children the opportunity to take part in rugby which is often seen as an upper-class sport.

“To do this, we want to expand the number of schools we are currently working with and would appreciate support from local businesses and the community.”

If your school would like to get involved, please contact Ladiescoach@westnorfolkrugby.com for further details.