Perthshire rugby development diary

Dec 24 2010 Perthshire Advertiser Friday

SNOW continues to hit rugby but it has been a great opportunity for development to reflect on the season so far, its impact on the community and look forward to 2011.

After giving the primary programme an overhaul we are now providing greater opportunities to participate in community rugby through structured curricular and extra-curricular activity which eases the accessibility to the club through a clear pathway.

The introduction of a competitive inter-schools league has seen greater enthusiasm for the sport in pupils teachers and parents especially in Perth Grammar and St John’s.

It was one of the most rewarding things I have seen as a development officer, witnessing a real community atmosphere at the North Inch after the ‘Sports Comprehensive’ gave Blairgowrie High a run for their money.

That was their first-ever outing as a school team and for the most part the player’s first outing in the code of rugby.

This season saw the introduction of the performance academy at the club. Now with nine members it shows all the signs of becoming a sustainable platform, providing individuals with the opportunity to grow and develop their skills in a concentrated environment.

Seven of the academy players also had some level involvement at district and regional representative level this year.

Looking forward to 2011 it’s sure to be a busy one with January already jam-packed with P6 and P7 activity as well as P4 and P5 festivals for the Perth High and Academy cluster schools.

The inter-school league will resume in February after its winter break and the expansion of our schools’ sevens program will get under way in April for secondary schools.

Planning will begin for our annual Easter Camp and annual ‘Touch Rugby’ league in January.

It looks like the development programme has shown steady growth and expansion this season already and I hope with continued effort we can cement our place as having the elite club development program in Scottish rugby.

I would like to thank all the club volunteers both young and old who help make the programme possible as well as committee and the community development management group for their continued support in 2010.

Also, a big thank you to the Active Schools team for their support in facilitating rugby in primary schools throughout Perth.