‘Inspiring’ the Next Generation of Dorset’s Rugby Players
Inspire Professional Services Sponsors Bournemouth Rugby’s Schools Program

Bournemouth Rugby is delighted that tax and business advisory specialists, Inspire Professional Services is providing sponsorship support for our Schools Program, delivered through our Community Development Partner, Rippa Rugby.

Launched in October 2015 to address the lack of quality rugby coaching in schools across Dorset, the program has expanded rapidly to 9 schools, with 550+ boys and girls, aged between 7 and 15, now receiving qualified rugby coaching through PE coaching consultancy and after school coaching sessions.
 
Stu Gallacher has the combined role of Bournemouth Rugby’s Community Development Manager and U9’s Lead Coach, as well as Rippa Rugby business owner.  He said: “Prior to the launch of the Schools Program there was very little emphasis on rugby coaching in state schools, especially for younger age groups.  We are extremely pleased at the receptiveness from schools who value both our engaging activities and emphasis on rugby values: Teamwork, Respect, Discipline and Sportsmanship (TREDS).
 
“Our approach is holistic and our aim is to bring rugby to the masses and make this sport a main stream school sport,” adds Stu.  “While we’re taking rugby coaching into schools for younger players, some of whom go on to join our age groups at Bournemouth Rugby Club, we’re also developing teaching staff and the next generation of coaches through the Apprenticeship Scheme.  The sponsorship from Inspire supports both areas, and provides assistance to develop the Schools Program for the future.”
 
Stu mentors Bournemouth Rugby’s two young Community Rugby Apprentices, Conrad Carkeet (16) and Scott Curtis (16), who help deliver the Schools Program, whilst learning themselves.  The pair act as assistant coaches in supporting Stu and other Rippa Rugby coaches and they have progressed their learning to a point where they have the confidence to lead coaching sessions under the guidance and supervision of Stu and his support coaches.  Both Scott and Conrad qualified as Level 1 RFU coaches in September - quite a feat, given their age. 
 
With the help of Inspire’s sponsorship the Schools Program will also include the expansion of inter-school tournaments, the first of which was Parley First School’s Year 4 Tag Tournament in summer 2016.   In a rugby first for the local area, 60 children from the school took part, playing Tag Rugby in their class colours, mimicking rugby nations of the world. 
 
Stu and the apprentices have worked hard to bring the Christchurch Schools Level 2 Tag Rugby Tournament and the Moderate Learning Disability 6 Schools Championship to Bournemouth Rugby in February 2017.
 
There are further plans to develop specific girls rugby tournaments to redress the imbalance of girls playing compared to boys.  Bournemouth Rugby’s girls’ section – new this season - already has a strong attendance with 15+ players and is actively recruiting more girls. In addition, both Conrad and Scott will be supporting Lead Teaching Staff at The Bourne Academy in developing a brand new girls rugby team.
 
Bournemouth Rugby, through its official community partner Rippa Rugby, is making a significant difference the community. James Croker, CEO said: “Community outreach is not just a very important part of what the Club is about, especially when we bear the town name, it is a real pleasure to see how rugby can positively affect people, whether through our Schools Program, Disability Rugby Program, or by encouraging girls and young women into the sport by providing the right environment and female coaches.  It is our duty as the town Club to provide the opportunity for everyone to play, especially if they have never done so before.”
 
Inspire Director, Andrew Singleton, said: “Inspire are extremely proud to be supporting Bournemouth Rugby’s Schools Programme. Engagement with the future generation, and the community, are hugely important to us, so it’s great to get involved with the next generation. Bournemouth Rugby club have a great tradition of finding and developing talent and working in the community; we’re hoping our support will help that to continue whilst also enabling a wide range of children to experience the benefits of participating in such a great team sport.”