Youngsters take part in rugby initiative
SCHOOLS in Hinckley and Earl Shilton are taking part in a rugby programme to promote healthy living.
Hinckley Academy, Hastings High School and Heath Lane Academy will be taking students through the Concrete Rugby programme, an initiative co-driven by Leicester Tigers and Aggregate Industries.
Pupils learn new skills through playing the ball game over a sixweek period, with discussions after each training session looking at topics important for the youngsters. The talks will include themes of healthy eating, drugs, road safety, bullying and digital safety.
The initiative was introduced in schools across the region in November 2016 and has already reached over 1,000 students.
Blaine Bonnin-Ward is rugby development officer at Leicester Tigers and runs the sessions.
He said: “With schools in Leicestershire there is a huge demand for specialist sports-led initiatives like Concrete Rugby.
“It’s important that we build on the success of last year’s programmes.
“We had some fantastic feedback from pupils and teachers and so it’s a fantastic opportunity to be able to go back and teach a new group of youngsters.”
He added: “We’ll also be running dedicated campaigns on specific issues such as bullying and obesity throughout the school year ensuring we reach and educate even more pupils.”
The project was launched following a study that found 91 per cent of parents felt that their children did not get the recommended 60 minutes of physical activity a day.
François Pétry, chief executive of Aggregate Industries, said: “This year will see the launch of the Give Bullying the Boot campaign, focusing on educating children on the signs of bullying and what they should do if they or somebody they know is experiencing bullying.
“We hope that engaging with the younger generation through rugby will make a positive impact and promote not only the physical benefits sport can have but the emotional benefits too.”
If your school is interested in Concrete Rugby, contact Blaine Bonnin-Ward at Leicester Tigers, by emailing blaine.bonninward@tigers.co.uk.