Wow, we’re in the England camp!
It’s not often that children recently introduced to rugby union meet the England players in their training camp on a Test match week.
So, when Rugby World Cup winner, Jason Robinson, accompanied 20 youngsters to meet the England squad at their Pennyhill Park base, it was a special day.
The pupils from Oughton Primary School, Luton, are part of the Jason Robinson Foundation’s school coaching programme.
They were there with senior teacher, Claire Hurley and teaching assistant Kasia Burke and their rugby coach, Jake Parkinson.
Powerful experience
The school staff described the visit as “a day that they will remember for the rest of their lives, such a valuable and powerful experience.”
Said pupil Savannah: “It was the most amazing day of my life. The best thing was everything! “
Max agreed: “I shall never forget yesterday. I enjoyed watching the rugby players train. They were like giants!”
Said Maicey: “The England players signed my ball which I am going to keep for ever and ever.”
“I am soooo so happy all my favourite rugby players signed my book,” said Harry C.
And one dad has a task now, said Doruk: “The England players all signed my shirt which my dad is going to frame and put on my wall.”
Giving children role models & opportunities
On a very cold day, apart from watching the squad train, the children had the chance for some training of their own with Jason coaching them on the indoor pitch.
Samuel loved it, saying: “Jason was so much fun! I learnt a lot about rugby from him. He helped me score a try in the sports hall.”
The England players and management were delighted to meet the pupils and hoped to encourage a love of the sport in children who might not have had the chance to experience it without the Foundation’s help.
Said Jason: “I was a child who never had these kinds of opportunities, and it was amazing to see these youngsters get such a warm welcome from England players and coaches.
“My Foundation wants to give children and young people opportunities to transform their lives by providing training, events, life skills and mentors.
“Having role models like the England players we hope will help youngsters to be positive, develop resilience, and to make good choices. We aim to give them guidance on having a positive impact on the world around them. The visit to the England camp certainly had a positive impact today!”
More about the Jason Robinson Foundation here: https://jr-foundation.co.uk/
