Concrete Rugby returns to Leicestershire schools

Aggregate Industries and Leicester Tigers aiming to build on the success of last year’s programmes

RUGBY is playing a pivotal role in 12 Leicestershire schools this school year through a joint initiative driven by Leicester Tigers and Coalville-based Aggregate Industries.

The Concrete Rugby programme promotes a healthy lifestyle alongside introducing secondary and high school students to rugby and the importance of exercise.

The initiative, which was first introduced in schools across the region in November 2016 after a study found that 91% of parents felt their children were not getting the recommended 60 minutes of physical activity per week, has already reached more than 1,000 students.

Through the game of rugby, pupils learn new skills over a six-week period and, after each training session, participate in a group discussion covering a wide range of issues, from healthy eating, drugs, and road safety through to bullying, including the dangers of peer pressure and digital safety.

Blaine Bonnin-Ward, rugby development officer at Leicester Tigers who runs the sessions, said: ‘It’s important that we build on the success of last year’s programmes. We had some fantastic feedback from pupils and teachers, and so it’s a fantastic opportunity to be able to go back and teach a new group of youngsters.

‘With schools in Leicestershire there is a huge demand for specialist sports-led initiatives like Concrete Rugby. In addition, we’ll also be running dedicated campaigns on specific issues such as bullying and obesity throughout the school year, ensuring we reach and educate even more pupils.’

François Pétry, chief executive officer of Aggregate Industries, commented: ‘Following the success of the first year of Concrete Rugby, we are proud to be able to continue to support this important initiative, which we hope will have an even greater reach this year, with an increased focus on issues impacting children’s daily lives.

‘This year will see the launch of the ‘Give Bullying the Boot’ campaign, focusing on educating children on the signs of bullying and what they should do if they or somebody they know is experiencing bullying.

‘We hope that engaging with the younger generation through rugby will make a positive impact and promote not only the physical benefits sport can have, but also the emotional benefits too.’