Middlesex Rugby
London Nigerian promotes Rugby in local Schools
London Nigerian taking rugby into the schools
London Nigerian taking rugby into the schools
London Nigerian Rugby Football Club (LNRFC) is proactively promoting mini rugby in West London through its Youth Development Project jointly sponsored by the UK subsidiary of the First Bank of Nigeria Plc, FBN Bank (UK) Ltd and Sportsmatch.
The Youth Development Project aims to teach rugby in schools that lack the facilities to cater for the sport themselves. The West London club has been sending its coaches to primary schools in the Boroughs of Hammersmith & Fulham and Kensington & Chelsea. The project, which has been running since the beginning of October 2006, sees the coaches teaching rugby for two hours a week.
Sponsors of the project, FBN UK and Sportsmatch are both delighted to see children as young as 7 participating in a sport known for its strong sense of team-work, determination, discipline, fair play and community spirit.
Peter Hinson, CEO of FBN UK commented that “In today’s society where fitness is decreasing amongst our children, it is very pleasing to see primary school children enjoy structured play activities which increases the physical activity of children as well as having fun”.
Sportsmatch, a government funded scheme set up to help fund grass roots and community sports, matched FBN’s generous contribution towards the Project. This has enabled London Nigerian’s Mini & Youth section to reach out to even more children. Upon awarding of the sponsorship of £2,500 to the club, Sportmatch’s Sandra Smith stressed “by focusing on the inclusion of all school children, we are helping forge relationships with the community in which they live”
The first phase of the Project came to a close with two tag-rugby tournaments held at the Linford Christie Stadium in East Acton – home to LNRFC . “These children are the future of sport in Great Britain and it is important to encourage the development of their skills” says Andy Franco, Head Coach of London Nigerian’s Mini & Youth section and the brains behind the club’s Youth Development Project. “We will be inviting all the children to join the club and continue to play rugby every Sunday during term time”.
