Rugby in Schools
15 teams from five schools took part in the annual Secondary Schools Boys 7’s Rugby Festival, sponsored by OF&D
27 April 2017
The festival was held for the third year at KGV and owing to the increased number of teams both grassed and 3G was in use in the morning.
This year saw, for the first time saw, an entry from Blanchelande boys in the year 7 group competing alongside Le Mare, St Sampsons, Grammar School and Les Beaucamp, whilst St Sampson, Le Mare, Grammar School and Les Beaucamp contested in year 8.
Both were exciting competitions and it was still in the balance until the final set of games when Le Mare year 7 and Les Beaucamp year 8 took the games as well as the leagues.
The afternoon saw the senior players from both year 9 (many who are not even part of the Rugby Academy) and year 10’s compete on the KGV 3G.
Guernsey Raiders Director of Rugby Jordan Reynolds was on hand to talent scout and had a great deal to watch as both St Sampson year 9’s and Grammar School year 10s dominated their league to run out winners.
Ahead of this weekends Junior Siam in Jersey, to see over 150 boys playing 7’s was fantastic and it bodes well for Island Rugby Development.
OF&D support the Guernsey Secondary Schools training in the lead up to the Jersey based Lord Jersey Cup for the third year in succession
22 March 2017
This year saw more players than ever turn up to training which allowed the Guernsey Secondary Schools to enter two teams into the new look competition.
The training started just after Christmas and ran through to early March at the KGV 3G pitch. Having this facility available meant that the squad never missed a training session which would not have been possible without the kind support of OF&D, who covered the hire cost during the wettest period of the season.
A reworked logo and new kit saw the OF&D logo on the sleeve of the playing shirts and Mike Marshall was on hand during the shirt presentation.
The two teams were entered in the A-League and the Development League. Sadly the development team came across some very determined Jersey teams, yet they acquitted themselves extremely well and as many of them came from the Year 10’s (the Cup being a combined Yr10/11 competition) they gain valuable experience for next year.
The team in the A-League played some fantastic rugby against difficult opposition, but sadly a well drilled Victoria College team took the final game to win the league with the Guernsey Schools coming 2nd.
Over 37 players had an opportunity to test themselves against teams in Jersey and this would not have been possible without the fantastic support OF&D has provided to Island sport and rugby in particular and each and every one of them would like to thank OF&D for this opportunity.
OF&D donates 540 rugby balls across all the Islands primary, junior and secondary schools
16 December 2016
Young rugby players in all local schools are set to benefit from new tag rugby kit which will help to increase access to the sport for students.
680 tag belts and tags, have been donated by Canaccord Genuity Wealth Management to primary and junior schools and 540 rugby balls have been contributed by local fund-raising group Only Fools and Donkeys which will be used by primary, junior and secondary school students.
Some of the new kit was presented to students at La Mare De Carteret School by head of portfolio management at Canaccord Genuity Wealth Management, Chris Colclough, rugby development officer Steve Melbourne, and Only Fools and Donkeys co-founder Ray Smart.
Mr Colclough said: “Tag ruby is a fantastic opportunity for young players to learn the sport in a fun and engaging way so we’re very pleased to donate the tag and belt sets so more young islanders have the opportunity to take part.
“Canaccord Genuity Wealth Management is proud to support the work Steve and the rugby development team do in promoting rugby in our schools. They have a key role in championing rugby excellence locally and honing important life skills, such as team work and good communication, in the island’s future players. We are confident our donation will assist them in delivering this great work.”
Ray Smart added: “Rugby has played a significant part in my and Mike’s lives and we are delighted to be able to help introduce young people to the game by providing rugby balls to all the primary, junior and secondary schools across the island.
“With tag, touch and contact there is a version of rugby that everyone can play and we hope all the pupils will get as much enjoyment and reward from the game as we have.”
Steve Melbourne, rugby development officer, said: “The rugby development team is keen to raise the profile of rugby in schools so we are very grateful to receive the donation of new kit from Canaccord Genuity Wealth Management and Only Fools and Donkeys.
“The extra tag belts and rugby balls will enable teachers and sports coaches to work with children during and after school to enable students at all levels of education to have the chance to try rugby which is great for developing the sport in the island.”