Poppy Cleall helps kick off England Rugby’s partnership with Scouts
Scouts and rugby union both provide young people with skills for life. Now England Rugby and Scouts have teamed up with a rugby programme across the scouting network so that thousands of scouts can benefit from rugby and its core values.
Scouts can now earn a rebranded Physical Activity Badge, sponsored by England Rugby, with four rugby activities designed to be easily integrated into Scout meetings and events. There will also be a series of non-contact rugby festivals across the country.
Celebrating the partnership’s launch, Eastbourne Rugby Club welcomed more than 200 Scouts for a day of rugby activities and a T1 rugby festival. Their volunteers helped run the event and the club provided medals.
At the launch was former Scout and Red Roses and Saracens lock, Poppy Cleall, who said: “Having had the privilege of being both a Scout and a Red Rose, I’m incredibly excited about this partnership between Scouts and England Rugby.
“The values and skills I learned as a Scout: teamwork, leadership, and resilience, are the same as those essential throughout my rugby career.
“This initiative is a fantastic opportunity to introduce more young people to rugby, helping them to develop important life skills while having fun and staying active. With the Women's Rugby World Cup in England next year, there's no better time to get involved in this amazing sport. I'm proud to be part of a programme that will inspire the next generation of rugby players and community leaders."
As the Women’s Rugby World Cup approaches, the girls' game continues to grow, with players inspired by England’s Red Roses being ranked number one in the world. The new partnership will increase the sport’s visibility for girls who are scouts.
Scouts really enjoyed the rugby
Angel from 11th Eastbourne Scout Group said: “I hadn’t played rugby before, today was my first time playing. I really enjoyed it and would definitely like to play again”
Jade, an 11-year-old from First Polegate Scout Group, agreed: “I really enjoyed it and I think I’d like to join a Barbarians team. All the activities were really fun, and I think Scouts and rugby go really well together as they both have teamwork.”
Rhys Ponsett, aged 11, from First Seaside Scout Group, said: “I like how scouts and rugby have come together to give me more rugby in my life”
And Lucy, a young leader from 11th Eastbourne Scout Group, said: “It was great to see all the children working together as a team and doing something new as part of badge work.”
The first Scouts had already begun working towards their England Rugby sponsored Physical Activity Badge at Scout HQ, Gilwell Park.
With 90% not having played rugby before and half of those involved being girls, their enthusiasm and enjoyment was clear to see.
Ed Stafford, Scouts Ambassador and the first person to have walked the entire length of the Amazon, said: “I’m so pleased the Scouts and Rugby Football Union are working so closely together. They have so many shared values and inspire teamwork, leadership, and physical and mental wellbeing. Both Scouts and rugby help young people learn to think for themselves, build trust in each other and develop a fantastic positive attitude.
“As a Scout and rugby player myself, I know how good both can be for you. Well done and thank you to everyone who’s helping provide these opportunities, and get our young people get into sport.”
In the coming months, there will be many England Rugby Physical Activity Badges sewn onto Scouts’ green shirts as more and more young people earn them.
