Pupils up for giving it a try
Sporting chance at club festival
Dozens of school pupils got such a kick out of a Rugby Festival of Fun that they are now looking forward to joining their high school teams next term.
Eighty kids descended on the grass pitches at Coats Park from Burgh, Spittal and Park View primary schools as part of an event to grow interest in the sport throughout the area.
Organised by Cambuslang Rugby Club and South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture Active Schools, the festival was an opportunity for the P7 pupils to come together and meet new friends when they start at Stonelaw High after the summer.
The youngsters did not play in teams with their own classmates and instead were mixed up with pupils from other schools in order to get to know each other better through teamwork and cooperation on the pitch.
Stonelaw’s PE department were well represented and teacher Mr Sheppard, who also coaches the school rugby team, came along and helped coach various activities in the morning followed by refereeing fun games in the afternoon.
Cambuslang Rugby coaches also did a fantastic job of leading the event and making it fun and engaging for all the boys and girls taking part.
Twelve pupils were selected for demonstrating great skills and sportsmanship and they were rewarded with prizes, t-shirts and balls kindly donated by the rugby club.
Many of them are now looking forward to going to high school and joining the Stonelaw rugby team in August. It is hoped the festival also brings in new junior members for the rugby club.
Active Schools will continue to work in partnership with Cambuslang Rugby Club, the Scottish Rugby development officer and all of the primary and high schools in the area to grow the sport and provide more opportunities for participation.
Cambuslang Rugby president Graeme Fisher hopes to see more schools involved next year.
He said: “It was a very successful day with a lot of youngsters showing a real interest in the sport.
“Hopefully some of them will join in with us when the season starts in August.”
Cambuslang Rugby Club are running weekly sessions for primary school pupils on Sundays at 1pm throughout the summer.
●More information can be found at: www.facebook.com/ cambuslangjuniorrugby.