Pupils enjoy a dream day at Twickers
PUPILS from three Tyneside schools enjoyed a day to remember at Twickenham as they paraded as flagbearers on the pitch ahead of England’s NatWest Six Nations clash with Wales.
The opportunity was afforded to them thanks to their involvement in the CBRE All Schools programme this season.
Launched in 2012, the initiative has been developed by the RFU to increase the amount of rugby played in schools, encourage new players to join local clubs and create a positive legacy through the sport and its core values.
Last autumn representatives from the RFU’s official partner Canterbury conducted kit-design workshops around the country, one of which was attended by Longbenton High, St Thomas More Catholic and St Mary’s Catholic Schools.
The bespoke kit designed by the pupils will be delivered to the school in the coming weeks for the teams to play in for the rest of the season and years to come.
Stepping out on to the hallowed turf of rugby HQ with a packed crowd watching on, 13-year-old Longbenton pupil Charlotte Robinson said it was a day she would not forget in a hurry.
She said: “It is hopefully the first of many times here.
“It felt pretty good to be invited.”
The schools were three of 80 to make the trip to south west London having been a part of the CBRE All Schools programme this season.
The initiative aims to take rugby into 750 state secondary schools by 2019.
Ahead of the match pupils were treated to a lunch and photoshoot with England internationals Ellis Genge and Harriet Millar-Mills - as well as being given new Canterbury kit to wear as flagbearers.
Ahead of the 12-6 win for England, Genge gave a talk to the visiting schools about what rugby has done for their life and how the sport’s core values of teamwork, respect, enjoyment, discipline and sportsmanship can apply to many real-life situations – not just on the rugby field.
He said: “Some of these kids would never have had the chance to come to Twickenham otherwise and they all seemed to make the most of it.”