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.”
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| 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!
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| 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."
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Mr Stevenson at the Japan Welcome Ceremony
with the card from his Tag Rugby team
which he presented to the Japan Team Manager |
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| The 2015 - 2016 Balfour Year 6 Tag Rugby Squad |
