Glasdon Joins the Scrum

The Fylde Rugby Community Foundation aims to improve access to rugby for people of all ages, regardless of sex, religion or background, following the mantra “Rugby for All.”

The Foundation offers multiple programmes and community pathways for participation and appreciation of the sport. One of the programmes available for the younger years is the ‘Blackpool Primary School Tag Rugby Programme’. This programme aims to engage 10 primary schools across Blackpool with specialist rugby coaching and of course, all the physical and mental benefits that the sport grants.

The Foundation follows the UK Chief Medical Officer guidelines, which recommends that all young people aged 5 to 18 engage in at least 60 minutes of physical activity a day – with 30 minutes of it taking place within schools. They aim to achieve this target by providing coaching and mentoring for pupils through tag rugby, enhancing their knowledge of physical exercise, and highlighting the enjoyment that can be gained from it.

During a 10-week programme, participating children will involve themselves in tag rugby. This form of the sport offers minimal contact, substituting a tackle for a touch, meaning a safer, child-friendly game. They still learn all the beneficial skills that the base sport offers, skills that will develop their confidence, self-esteem, strategic planning and most importantly, teamwork. Each week, they task the children to focus on, and demonstrate, one of rugby’s individual core values – teamwork, respect, enjoyment, discipline and sportsmanship.

Ultimately, at the end of the programme, a Summer Term tag rugby festival takes place at Fylde Rugby Club. This sees the 10 participating schools across Blackpool take part in fun matches where all the children can focus on engaging with the sport and its core values together.

The support provided by The DJ Sidebottom / Glasdon Charitable Programme will allow the 10 primary schools across Blackpool access to 10 lessons over the academic year, as well as the end of programme tag rugby festival.

For more information regarding the Foundation and what other programmes they provide, please visit their website: https://www.fylderugbyfoundation.com/

The DJ Sidebottom/Glasdon Charitable Programme provides support for charities and community projects with donations, grants and fundraising initiatives. All activities are funded by Glasdon Group Limited, with the full support of our Founder and Chairman, Donald J Sidebottom MBE, FCIHT and the Board of Directors. Applications for grants and support can be made on our grant application page.