A CHARITY which aims to promote rugby at grass roots level in Doncaster will officially launch a two-year scheme at the end of this month – with the help of a £20,000 donation from a Sheffield business.
Children at three of the town’s primary schools were among the first to try out the new project designed to introduce the game to young people and highlight the fitness and social aspects of the sport.
Year five and six pupils at Stainforth’s Kirton Lane, Dunsville and Edlington primaries, have learned about exercise, health and diet – as well as tackling the game – in a pilot of the initiative. Spearheaded by the Doncaster Knights’ charity DIRECT, it is backed by the borough’s Primary Care Trust and sponsored by Sheffield-based environmental surveyors Wilbourn Associates, whose managing director Philip Wilbourn is a former Doncaster first team player.
The programme will now be rolled out across the borough to benefit thousands of schoolchildren who might not otherwise have had the chance to experience rugby. Boys and girls, including disabled youngsters, will meet rugby club and DIRECT representatives as well as getting tips from the professional players.
David Butler, community manager of DIRECT, said that feedback from the pilot schools had been good and the cash injection from Wilbourn Associates was crucial to the plan’s development.
“We’ve applied for funding from other sources but that’s by no means guaranteed so this donation is the key ingredient and has made all the difference to the project running or not,” he explained. “The intention now is to polish what we’ve put in place and get all the primary schools involved over the next two years.”
Philip Wilbourn, a former prop forward turned referee, has sponsored Doncaster Knights through his company for the last ten years and is keen to see newcomers take up the game. “I referee matches throughout Yorkshire and, although it is very much a growth sport, there has definitely been a drop in fitness levels among the younger age group which is a serious concern,” he commented. “Encouraging children to be more active and to learn about such things as teamwork and commitment is a very positive move.
“Rugby is a great sport to be involved in and embodies some very good ethical issues. As well as the health and exercise benefits, it promotes self-discipline and personal development as well as the chance to make friends for life,” he added.
The DIRECT programme will be launched officially at Doncaster Knights’ Castle Park Club at Armthorpe Road later in the year when the schools involved so far will present their feedback.
For further information about this press release please contact Philip Wilbourn at Wilbourn Associates on 0114 243 5500 / 07973 797011.
