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PTS rugby festivals a great success

Primary contact rugby festivals a big hit in East Lothian as part of the 'PTS' initiative

PTS rugby 2016

The ‘PTS’ primary team sports initiative has again proved a success for primary rugby teams in East Lothian with the hosting of two contact rugby festivals for primary aged teams. The first festival of the season was run in February at the Hallhill 3G and saw eight teams taking part in the event. Dunbar primary entered two P6/7 teams and were clearly the strongest teams at the festival with some great talent on show. Other teams to impress were the Musselburgh cluster team and the Kings Meadow team from Haddington. Compass School also took part in the event as did the Tranent cluster team. There was also a P4/5 fixture between Tranent cluster and Dunbar Cluster which was enjoyed by all involved. One of the highlights of the event was the number of parents that were out supporting the teams and children involved in the event.

 The second ‘PTS’ rugby festival took place at Meadowmill at the end of March and again there was some great rugby on display. The after school ‘PTS’ rugby clubs are definitely making a difference in the skill development of the players as the skill levels on display were very impressive. The confidence of children to make tackles and get involved in contact was again evident for all to see. Prestonpans cluster team came along to join the other teams and included some children that were taking part in their first contact rugby matches after working hard to learn the new skills of contact rugby.

Hopefully these festivals and opportunities for children to experience contact rugby will raise the interest and participation of our secondary school S1 teams for next season when they all arrive at their local school of rugby in East Lothian. All six secondary schools in East Lothian are a Scottish Rugby ‘School of Rugby’ and participate in the national conference fixtures. By exposing more primary aged children to quality coaching and contact rugby experience, it will hopefully rub off on the participation and performance in the secondary school rugby teams.

 

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