Legacy of Rugby World Cup 2015 lives on in Thame

CHINNOR RFC hosted a Tag Festival for Years five and six boys and girls from local Primary schools in Thame last Wednesday, April 27, and what a fun time was had by all!

The event was co-ordinated by Nick Todd of England Rugby, Jamie Hazeldine and Steve Trenchard of Chinnor RFC. It was sponsored by Star Hotshots who provided the three trophies, all the medals and goodie bags for every competitor. An army of volunteers helped with refereeing, marshalling, and goffering, not only from Chinnor RFC but also some from the PACK Volunteer programme, a legacy from the Rugby World Cup 2015.

Thame’s John Hampden and Barley Hill schools, St Andrew’s, Chinnor, Long Crendon and Testworth schools took part in the festival which was rescheduled from last term, because of bad weather. On the day however, the sun shone on these five schools which between them fielded six teams – all of mixed girls and boys. Each team played five matches in the preliminary rounds.

As the matches progressed, the skills and confidence grew, and the rugby flowed. After the five matches, each team progressed to compete for either the Cup, Bowl or Plate. The final results saw St Andrews winning the Cup, John Hampden the Plate and Tetsworth the Bowl. Every player went away with a medal and a goodie bag.

One partiular team is worthy of special mention. At first they didn’t even know each others’ names, but they quickly put their sporting skills into practice to soon become a creditable team. The ‘Federation’ was made up of a mix of players from John Hampden and Tetsworth schools.

Hopefully every player, teacher, parent, volunteer and spectator went away with a positive view of competitive sport, and England Rugby’s message of Teamwork, Respect, Enjoyment, Discipline and Sportsmanship.
SOURCE: Contributed by Steve Trenchard