Cornish Pirates

A new wave of schools taking part in the EDF Energy National Schools Rugby Programme has been announced today.

Over the next few weeks Cornish Pirates will work with pupils from five new schools - Porthleven School in Porthleven near Helston, St Maddern C of E School in Madron near Penzance, Mullion School, in Mullion near Helston, Bodgrigy Hayle School, in Hayle and Marazion School in Marazion.

As part of the programme, each school receives professional coaching from the Pirates, equipment from EDF Energy, a visit from a Pirates player and joins other schools in a regional tag rugby festival later this term.

Thousands more children will be involved with clubs through the programme this term. Cornish Pirates and Exeter Chiefs are the only two clubs outside the Premier league involved, with more Cornish schools to be announced after half-term.

Louise Poole, EDF Energy's Head of Brand, said: "The response from children and schools has been brilliant and the coaching and rugby festivals have gone down a storm. We wanted to extend the programme into the South West and we're delighted with how well it's going.

"We are committed to rugby at all levels from the EDF Energy Cup to the grassroots. "Our involvement through the schools programme means we create a lasting legacy for hundreds of schools and close to 100,000 children, who we hope will play and support the game for years to come."

Cornwall is one of the first parts of the country to benefit since the programme began in January, when EDF Energy became Premier Rugby's Community Partner and programme sponsor. The first schools got involved in January.

Cornish Pirates' Matt Evans said: "The programme is really starting to take off now. We're going to be working with more than a hundred children this term, through the coaching and rugby festival, which is fantastic. Hopefully we can inspire children and play our part in the programme to help produce the future players and fans of the game." The programme is one of the most comprehensive in world rugby and involves boys and girls, aged nine and ten, across England. Schools where rugby has never been played before are among those being targeted. Tag rugby is a non-contact version of the sport that teaches the skills necessary to go on and play rugby union. The programme will also ensure that teachers receive quality coaching. Premier Rugby's Community Manager, Wayne Morris, said: "The programme so far has been an outstanding success with over 135 schools already benefiting last term, sixteen of whom took part in tag demonstration matches at Twickenham during the EDF Energy Cup Final. "We are delighted with the response that we are getting from schools with huge numbers wanting to take part. We would like to thank EDF Energy for their commitment in helping us to provide this fabulous opportunity to help develop the grassroots of the game in new rugby playing schools." New schools join the programme at the start of every term and half-term through to the end of the 2009 school year, with each coaching block running for about six weeks.

Matt Evans

Schools have already taken part in tag rugby displays at the EDF Energy Cup semi-finals at the Millennium Stadium and EDF Energy Cup and EDF Energy National Trophy finals at Twickenham, including St Mary's C of E School, in Penzance, and also at Guinness Premiership games.

St Mary's School At Twickenham