The School of Rugby programme at Lenzie Academy will kick off into its fourth year following on from the success of the last three years.
At the meeting of the Education Committee the Council agreed partnership funding for the School of Rugby committing £9k per annum for a further period of two years. The programme is also funded by Scottish Rugby, Lenzie Rugby Club and East Dunbartonshire Leisure & Culture Trust.
The school became a School of Rugby in 2015 to address issues around a lack of players for both the school and club, inconsistent quality and content of coaching and a regular loss of best players to other clubs. There was also no provision for girls’ rugby and no consistent transition of players through the pathway to adult rugby at Lenzie Rugby Club.
Since its introduction the programme has shown great success and now has 130 boys and girls playing in Lenzie Rugby having achieved their goal of having five boys’ teams playing regularly on Saturday mornings at the correct age groups. Children from cluster primary schools in the local area also benefit with training targeted at younger players through both the school curriculum and out-of-school activities.
Over the last three years the performance of age group teams has improved most where they have had more exposure to curricular rugby. The total number of (schools) conference points has risen steadily from 50 points in 2015, 65 points in 2016 to 81 points on 2017.
Vice Convener of Education, Councillor Graeme McGinnigle, welcomed the decision to continue funding the programme. He said, “Since the introduction of the School of Rugby in 2015 the programme has gone from strength to strength, with higher levels of participation from boys and girls of all ages. The positive impact is not only physical, as teachers have reported improvements across all aspects of learning, social development and behaviour. This significant investment will ensure a continuation of this worthwhile opportunity for the next two years.”
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