The Aviva Premiership Tag rugby program is a nationwide grass roots rugby initiative and is offered to schools all around Gloucestershire who want to add to, or further incorporate rugby into their sporting curriculum.
The program is designed to introduce primary school children to the sport through tag rugby, with the hope that it might encourage to take up the sport and maybe join their local rugby club.
Frozen pitches meant that games had to be played on the 3G pitches at the school and it soon became evident that the future of English rugby is in safe hands, with the next generation of Gloucester rugby players, displaying a multitude of skills that wouldn't go amiss at Kingsholm Stadium.
Schools involved included, Eldersfield Lawn, Mitton Manor, Queen Margaret and Tirlebrook.
Simon Monahan, Gloucester's Community Rugby Manager, said:
"The youngsters were as ever very competitive, team work was the order of the day, as each school showed tremendous spirit throughout the festival by not letting the ice cold temperature dampen their enthusiasm. That said, I think some of the teachers involved from the side-lines, wouldn't say the same'.
Teams from Eldersfield Lawn, Queen Margaret and Tirlebrook schools were very strong throughout, but it was Mitton Manor who came out on top, scoring the greatest number of tries over the 5 match festival, securing their place in the draw to qualify for the final at Twickenham on Saturday 25th May 2013.
As well as being provided with a selection of brand new rugby gear, the teachers and pupils from each school received an invitation for a pre-match festival parade, and tickets to the London Irish game at Kingsholm.
The Aviva Premiership Tag rugby program now moves on to its next phase of delivery and will be based in the Cheltenham area.
Delivery starts on the 7th of January 2013, and runs until the 18th February. The next cluster of schools will be invited for the pre-match festival parade at the Gloucester's vs Worcester Warriors home match on the 23rd of February.
If you would like to get involved, or would just like more information, please contact Community Rugby Manager Simon Monahan E-mail: simonmonahan@gloucesterrugby.co.uk or call 01452-872276
