The Waratahs Junior Rugby Union Club ‘Rugby in Schools’ initiative

The Waratahs Junior Rugby Union Club, in the Hunter, has entered a new partnership with The Rugby Club Foundation to develop and implement a five-year ‘Rugby in Schools’ initiative.

President of the Junior Club, Chris Grieve, said the Rugby Foundation has initially provided a grant for the first year of the program in 2022.

“This is great news for The Waratahs Juniors as it helps us defray many costs in providing coaching classes in local primary schools and running a 2022 School Rugby Gala Day for Years 3 & 4 and Years 5 & 6,” said Chris.

“The Waratahs Juniors earlier this year engaged a number of local primary schools to participate in a club-hosted annual Rugby 7s gala day, part of the commitment involving training sessions at the schools leading up the gala day which will be held tomorrow (Thursday, 27 Oct) at Waratah Oval.”

Years 3 and 4 will play for the Dave Bowtell Memorial Trophy and Years 5 and 6 compete for the Ray Frost Memorial Trophy, the two competitions named after long serving players and Life Members for The Waratahs Rugby Union Club. More than 130 students from various local primary schools plus team support staff will participate in the gala day.

Chris said the Rugby Club Foundation grant allows the purchase new field dressings, game equipment and training equipment that will be utilised for training activities and the gala day.

“The grant also allows promotion of safe rugby, cover of incidental costs, participation in schools and the best rugby experience for players, families and officials,” he added.

“Hopefully, we may be able to provide the schools with custom jerseys for gala days in future years.”

The Rugby Club Foundation’s vision of ‘Sharing the Spirit of the Game’ is designed to encourage the sport of Rugby. Through the vision, the Foundation is increasing its financial support of grassroots Rugby across the country. Since 2017 it has financially supported 80 grassroots Rugby programs that provide opportunities for male and female players, coaches and officials of all ages, ability and levels of experience, in all formats of Rugby across NSW.

Chris said The Waratahs Juniors had also received strong backing from the Hunter Region’s premier rugby support organisation, The Hawthorne Club, to conduct the 2022 Schools Rugby Gala Day.

“Coaching clinics have already been held in a number of local primary schools as the gala day was originally scheduled to be played in March or April,” said Chris

“The inclement weather over recent months foiled our plans as grounds became unavailable because of the wet conditions and we are now focussed on holding the event tomorrow.

“The delay means a re-focus as we intended the gala day to be a forerunner to the 2022 Saturday morning local competitions. However, the schools are very keen to participate and the support of The Rugby Club Foundation and The Hawthorne Club means we still have an event that now allows us to concentrate on attracting young players into the 2023 competition.

“The gala day will further promote Rugby and junior participation in a quality and safe environment while developing the next generation of rugby champions.”