Inspiring young players

By Balfour Year 6 Tag Rugby Squad 2015 - 2016

As part of our Rugby World Cup 2015 Project we were lucky enough to be able to meet and interview Kieron Dawson, who played for Ireland in Rugby World Cup 1999.

Year 6 pupil Fin explained: “It was really interesting meeting Kieron. He told us all about his time playing Rugby. He also told us about how he prepares for a big Rugby match and what it felt like to play for your country.”

Balfour pupils with Kieron Dawson

What was it like representing your country at a Rugby World Cup?

I think it was extra special for us because my Rugby World Cup was 1999 and Ireland were based in Ireland and everywhere we went we played sports. We did a lot of school visits in preparation and the whole country was buzzing a little bit like this year, I suppose with the Tournament being based in England, so I’m sure they’ll experience the same thing. So yes, very proud, very excited, and a little bit surreal if I’m quite honest because in 1999 Rugby wasn’t long into becoming a professional sport so it felt a bit strange.

Who was your Rugby hero when you were young?

My Rugby hero was actually a guy called Ollie Campbell, who played No. 10 for Ireland, which was the position I probably wanted to play, but my age and shape didn’t really suit it. So when I was growing up Ollie Campbell because he kicked all the goals and made it all happen on the pitch, a bit like Jonny Wilkinson, and so he was my hero player.

What position did you play?

I played Open Side Flanker, which is the best position, so No. 7 in the scrum, who runs around making tackles all day, which is why I look like I do nowadays!

What advice would you give to us, as young rugby players before a big match?

I’d get lots of sleep, drink lots of water. Just prepare yourself well for the game. Enjoy it and try to learn from every game. Something will happen in every match that you can learn from. Most important thing is to enjoy it!

Big boots...and shirts...to fill

What was your biggest game?

My first game against the All Blacks. So I was 21 standing in the middle of Lansdowne Road, having dreamt about it all of my life, facing the Kaka for the first time on my first cap….That was pretty special!

Balfour Primary School has been following the preparations for the matches in Brighton & Hove. The pupils have been part of this blog's writing team. Last week Balfour Rugby coach Lee Stevenson represented the school at the Japan Welcome Ceremony. Mr Stevenson presented a card to the Japanese team from the young players at Balfour who are inspired by all those competing in the Tournament and who aim to follow in their footsteps in the years ahead. 

Tiggy from Balfour Year 6 said: "I'm really excited about the start of Rugby World Cup 2015. I can't believe that I am going to watch one of the matches at the Brighton Community Stadium - USA vs Samoa. It will amazing. We've also started training at school for the new Balfour Primary School 6 Tag Rugby squad - I hope we can be as good as the teams playing in the Tournament."

Mr Stevenson at the Japan Welcome Ceremony
with the card from his Tag Rugby team
which he presented to the Japan Team Manager

The 2015 - 2016 Balfour Year 6 Tag Rugby Squad

Balfour bloggers

Pupils from Balfour Primary Tag Rugby team were invited to Brighton Community Stadium recently to learn about how the venue will be transformed for Rugby in the months ahead.

Seven pupils took a tour of the ground and met with the Executive Director of Brighton & Hove Football Club to find out more.

In this home changing room

The trip was organised by Albion in the Community (AITC) and also involved the pupils working with the AITC team to create blog content on a set of iPads.

Their finished blog entries will be posted here soon.  

In the stands

Inspiring young players

Balfour Primary School’s Tag Rugby Team was invited to be the “Guard of Honour” at an England vs Australia match played at Twickenham.

The trip included a tour of the RFU Museum, visiting the changing rooms and a chance to play on the pitch.

The experience was a reward for the school’s 2013 – 2014 Tag Rugby Team placing second in the 2014 National Schools Final.

The RFU gave two extra tickets. These were given in a random draw to two of the current Year 6 Tag Rugby Team – Fred and Esmee. 

Our trip to Twickenham by Esmee and Fred

Esmee and Fred

Esmee, Balfour Year 6 Tag Rugby Squad 2014 - 2015

Going to Twickenham, watching a live rugby match and performing the Guard of Honour was brilliant. The whole experience was amazing but my favourite part would be standing in front of 82,031 people performing the Guard of Honour – just surreal! 

I couldn’t believe how massive they were! Standing on the real Twickenham grass and scoring tries, standing in exactly the same place as professional rugby players was incredible.

Next year the RWC are taking the players to Brighton. I am desperate to go and see them with my sisters!

Fred, Team Captain, Balfour Year 6 Tag Rugby Squad 2014 - 2015

The experience was amazing, playing on the pitch and walking out to do the Guard of Honour to 82,000 people at Twickenham. The Australian and English players were so close to me, as they sung ‘God Save the Queen.’

After we played on the pitch, before the game, we walked backed through the tunnel, Chris Robshaw was inches away from me! Then when we finished the Guard of Honour we did a minute of applause for Philip Hughes. 

After that we went back to the changing rooms before the match began, just before that, when we were on our way back, we brushed past Jonny Wilkinson who was commentating on the match!!

I will never forget it!

Balfour pupils at Twickenham

Rugby for all ages

Pupils at Balfour Primary School are taking to the pitch with enthusiasm, training for tag rugby championships next year.

In 2013, the Balfour Lions battled through the local, regional and national heats to become National Tag Rugby Champions. In the 2014 competition, the team made it all the way through to the final before being beaten to the top spot on try difference by St Lawrence School from Shropshire.

This year’s young players are hoping to repeat the roaring success of previous teams from the school. The young players are now gearing up for local and county tag competitions.

Balfour pupils on the pitch

Lee Stevenson, teaching assistant and rugby coach at Balfour Primary School, said: “The children are dedicated and keen to be the best they can be. We are extremely proud of our success nationally in the Tag Rugby Championships. Aside from the physical benefits of playing an active game, we feel the children really benefit from learning the core values associated with rugby, that is Teamwork, Respect, Enjoyment, Discipline and Sportsmanship.”

The Balfour Lions squad of 21 children, aged 9 to 11 years, is a mixed team of boys and girls. Tag Rugby has different rules from the traditional game and involves less physical contact making it more suitable for younger players.

Red and blue tags

Each player wears two plastic “tags”. If the player carrying the ball has one of their tags captured by an opponent, they have just three seconds to pass to a fellow team member or forfeit the ball. Tries are scored by crossing the try lines at either end of the pitch.

The game is a fast paced and fun version of rugby, requiring skill and determination to win. The non-contact speedy nature of the sport makes it suitable for both adults and children, and for boys and girls to play together. Tag rugby is the RFU’s official version of the game for under-7s and under-8s.

Keen to be part of the Rugby experience

Balfour Tag Rugby team will be writing about their experiences in future blog posts. 

Countdown to Rugby World Cup 2015 in Brighton & Hove

Today marks one year to go until the first of two Rugby World Cup 2015 matches taking place in Brighton & Hove. The Brighton & Hove matches will be during the first weekend of the Tournament (19 and 20 September 2015).

Excitement is already building in the run-up to the Tournament. To celebrate Rugby World Cup 2015 in our city, local rugby enthusiasts will contribute to this blog chronicling their experiences of waiting for Rugby World Cup 2015’s arrival in the city.

Blog entries will be created by young pupils from Balfour School tag Rugby team, players from Brighton Rugby Club and Hove Rugby Club, ground staff preparing for the matches at Brighton Community Stadium and members of “The Pack”.

Sarah Razzell applied to be part of The Pack and has taken part in the Try Outs in Brighton to see if she will be chosen to be a RWC2015 volunteer. Sarah said: “As far back as I can remember my dad and me would watch the Rugby internationals together, shouting and cheering at the TV! I am so happy to share my excitement with other people. Rugby is a fantastic team sport that encourages individuals to work together to win the match.”

Marcelo Staricoff, Balfour Primary headteacher, said: “We are proud of our success at Tag Rugby, with our pupils winning the National Championships in 2013 and being runners up in this year's finals. We are so excited that Rugby World Cup 2015 is visiting Brighton as it will be so inspirational for the whole school and will enable us to promote our school values through a worldwide sporting event.”

The blog will be looked after by Brighton & Hove City Council communications team.

(Photos copyright www.snapitnow.co.uk)