LOCAL CLUBS AND SCHOOLS TAKE CENTRE STAGE AT AVIVA PREMIERSHIP FINAL
Croftway Primary of Blyth and Stanwix Primary of Carlisle were in the thick of the action at Twickenham Stadium with Croftway taking centre stage in a curtain-raiser pre-match as part of their participation of the BT Sport’s Supporters Club supported Something to Chew on Programme.
The programme, aimed at improving children’s understanding of healthy eating and a healthy diet alongside exercise, has been thoroughly enjoyed by the pupils and teachers at the school, with the Twickenham showpiece providing a fitting celebration of their participation.
Croftway Primary teacher Andy Brown said: “The children had a fabulous time with the Premiership Final as the centrepiece of a three day trip. They proudly represented the Falcons, Northumberland, Blyth, Croftway Primary Academy and their parents splendidly and also won their curtain raiser demonstration game by 4 tries to 1.”
The Children themselves were also highly enthused by their day with Kurtis Earnshaw describing it as “an awesome experience”.
Cerys Raine said: “Playing Tag Rugby on the same pitch as the professional Rugby players made us feel really special” and Jacob Hood saying. The whole day was so cool .Rugby is a great game to learn and play.”
Meanwhile Stanwix, who earned their big day by winning the Aviva Schools Rugby Programme Festival earlier this year, took part in a half time display game with the other regional winners of the Aviva Premiership Rugby Schools Programme festivals in front of more than 80,000 spectators.
Through the Aviva Premiership Rugby Schools Programme youngsters, parents and teachers are benefitting in their thousands with more than 39,000 Key Stage 2 pupils at non-traditional rugby schools being introduced to the sport through tag rugby each year.
The programme involves a six-week introduction to rugby, building links with grassroot clubs to create sustainable rugby legacies.
The North East presence at Twickenham was strengthened further by the attendance of Northern Under-11s and Morpeth Under-12s, who took part in the Land Rover Parade of Champions after they won the largest ever Newcastle Land Rover Cup held at Kingston Park in March.