Cornish Pirates

04/12/08

The Cornish Pirates showcased their work to produce the next generation of players and fans through the EDF Energy National Schools Rugby Programme Festival which took place at the Mennaye Nurseries Field, Penzance, on Thursday 4th December.

During this school term children from Alverton, Bodriggy, Heamoor, Newlyn, Pensans, Penpol, St. Hilary, Sennen, St. Ives, St. Just and St. Marys Primary Schools, who are all in the Penwith area, have received specialist coaching from the Cornish Pirates ahead of the Festival, which was one that saw Penpol School's 'A' team emerge as winners in a final played against Sennen School.

Ray Wiltshire, EDF Energy head of sponsorship, PR and events, said: "EDF Energy is committed to rugby from the grassroots to the elite, and the Cornish Pirates have a fantastic community set up. They are now in their third season of the EDF Energy National Schools Rugby Programme, and it is clubs like the Pirates who are making sure that rugby is doing all it can as a sport to secure a healthy, long-term future."

The schools programme is one of the most comprehensive in world rugby, involving nine to ten-year-old boys and girls, at primary and middle schools across England. Schools where rugby has never been played before are among those being targeted. The focus is on tag rugby, a non-contact version of the sport that teaches the skills necessary to go on and play rugby union.

More than 75,000 children have now been introduced to rugby through the programme since it launched in January last year. Every Guinness Premiership club as well as National League sides Exeter Chiefs and Cornish Pirates are involved.

Having coached in the Penwith area, the Cornish Pirates community coaches are now working with schools in the Kerrier area - they are Pencoys, Trevithick, Weeth, Trewirgie, Treloweth, Rosemellin, Portreath and Pennoweth.