With the countdown to Christmas now on the London Scottish community team have been busy working in 11 schools during the Autumn Term. The coaches have been delivering both curricular and extra-curricular sessions to primary and secondary schools as well as running a number of recruitment events.
On Thursday 24th November we continued to strengthen our relationship with the RFU and local secondary school Springwest Academy. As part of our continued work with the RFU as part of the CBRE All Schools programme the boys ran a recruitment day at the school.
The day was focused around Year 9 & 10 girls and provided a chance for them to put the skills they have learned during their curriculum time sessions into practice at a skills development day. The day was a huge success with 40 Year 9 & 10 pupils all leaving with smiles on their faces.
On the back of the event we decided to run a Transition Day at the club on Sunday 27th November to allow the girls to integrate themselves into the London Scottish U15's girls team. With RFU Community Rugby Coach Jack Pattinson attending to help with proceedings the day was a huge success with a number of Springwest Academy girls attending the session and joining the London Scottish Girl's section.
The community team will be running similar events at both Hampton High and Twickenham Academy in the New Year. Please keep an eye on the website for dates and more information about these events.
40 pupils, as well as teachers and parents from the Mall School attended the Athletic Ground on Friday 18th November to take part in a pre match coaching session with London Scottish community coaches and professional players before standing as Guard of Honour for the London Scottish vs. Richmond fixture. The day was a huge success and we very much hope that you enjoyed your visit to the Athletic Ground.
The community team continued to strengthen the partnership with (the Mall) school when we attended their annual Christmas fair on Saturday 3rd December. The boys took the speed passing cage allowing pupils (and some keen parents) to test the speed and accuracy of their pass.
On Monday 28th November members of the London Scottish Red Lions (touch rugby team) and partner club Esher RFC were treated to a guest session from Doug Benzie from England Touch and Galaxy Touch. The session ran at the Athletic Ground and allowed players from both clubs to learn the game through conditioned games as well as a number of break out drills. A big thank you for another fantastic session and we look forward to seeing you in the New Year!
For more information about our schools programme or to discuss any of our other community initiative please contact Community Development Manager Ross Peacock on ross.peacock@londonscottish.com.
Mini & Junior Rugby Write Up
After an extremely busy couple of months with back to back fixtures the mini's section (U6-U12) were set to welcome local club Grasshoppers to the Athletic Ground on Sunday 20th November. However, due to a huge amount of rainfall on Saturday evening and early Sunday morning the ground staff deemed the pitches unplayable and the fixture had to be cancelled. A welcome Sunday off for parents and coaches who were dreading having to brave the elements!
Last Sunday saw all age groups return for their first training session for a number of weeks. With the last fixture of 2016 in the diary against Twickenham on Sunday 11th December, this Sunday see's the U6-U11 age groups return to the Athletic Ground to prepare for what should be a tough but enjoyable trip to the home of English Rugby.
Whilst the younger age groups prepare for Twickenham the U12s welcome local club Hammersmith and Fulham and Kilburn Cosmos to the Athletic Ground this weekend for Round 2 of the Middlesex League. Good luck to all involved!
With the U17s league fixture postponed, all junior age groups (U13-U18) are training at home this weekend with the exception to the Girl's section who travel to cluster club Battersea Ironsides for a joint training session.
