Valley of rugby dreams
Upper Eden Rugby Club is based in the rural Eden Valley where people have to travel miles to enjoy leisure pursuits.
Kirkby Stephen in Cumbria where the club is based is close to the North Pennines Area of Natural Beauty, with a population of around 1,700. The rugby club provides an important hub for the community, with a great welcoming atmosphere.
However, with a noticeable drop in their mini numbers recently, the club realized that they needed to get out into schools to introduce youngsters to rugby and hopefully get them and their parents involved at the club.
Many of their current senior players in the two men’s teams and their women’s team have come through local rugby development pathways which were extremely successful. So, after some discussion, the club decided to get back out into the schools aiming to increase their mini and junior numbers and give more children the chance to enjoy the game.
The T1 rugby sessions are being delivered by the RFU Cumbria Council Member, Chair of Cumbria and long -time Upper Eden member, Neil Marston, and club and county stalwart, Ian Gowing, who coaches young players at Upper Eden.
T1 Rugby emphasises fun, fitness, and inclusion, providing a welcoming and safe environment for people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. It’s the first non-contact form of the game to include lineouts, scrums, kicking, and breakdowns, while remaining simple to play. T1 Rugby can be played by mixed-gender teams, ensuring inclusivity and enjoyment for everyone.
Kicking off in three or four schools, the coaching will culminate in a club transition festival heading into 2025. And early signs are that not only the children, but also the two coaches, are having a great time.
Neil said: “I’m loving it, it’s one of the most rewarding things I’ve done recently. Seeing kids with smiles on their faces running with a rugby ball and growing in confidence is a real joy.
“At the start of a session, one little boy was just sitting on the ground but he got up, joined in and was loving it, couldn’t get enough of it, which was fantastic to see.
“It’s a great reminder of my own coaching journey and I’ve found it a welcome break from many other rugby commitments. Taking it back to the basics and seeing the enjoyment and progress from the kids really does affirm what rugby is all about.
“It’s great to see clubs locally and across the country taking up this challenge of coaching in schools to help club recruitment.
Increasing the number of players at the base of the pyramid is imperative to transitioning more through the clubs, into youth and hopefully ultimately into senior rugby for both men and women.”
Further details on T1 can be found here.
