March 2013 Issue 155 The Official Newspaper of The RFU This will be achieved by delivering a package of resource PRINCE HARRY within the school, linked to the local club that helps it to start and sustain playing rugby union, including kit and equipment, as well as coaching and young leaders training. PATRON OF RFU’S Canterbury is the first partner to support All Schools, becoming the Official Partner for the programme. As part of its involvement, each school taking part in the initiative ALL SCHOOLS was given the opportunity to attend one of a number of Canterbury kit design workshops last year. The 100 PROGRAMME participating state schools designed their own team rugby shirt, whilst learning about the core values of rugby, the pride associated with the shirt and the importance of colours, logos and emblems. Canterbury has turned these drawings into final bespoke designs to be proudly worn by the school’s rugby team. The colourful jerseys produced for the schools were presented for the first time at Twickenham; seen during the RBS 6 Nations England v Italy match as 100 children from across England represented their school on the pitch before kick off, flanking the military bringing out the giant England shirt and at half time. Prince Harry coaching children at Greenfield School, Walsall, when acting as Assistant Development Officer with the RFU in September 2004 A St. James’s Palace spokesperson, commented: “This patronage will allow Prince Harry to combine The RFU firmly believes that rugby union is a game for his passion for rugby with his work to help children and Nicola Marshall All Schools – all schools and all young people in the school young people in society to build their skills, confidence and can play, and rugby can have a positive impact on all of aspirations. Prince Harry recognises that rugby can play an The Rugby Football Union (RFU) recently the school. Currently around 1,500 state secondary schools important role in helping to achieve this.” announced Prince Harry as Patron of All Schools, play competitive rugby union. As Patron, Prince Harry will Ian Ritchie, Chief Executive of the RFU, said: “We are and revealed Canterbury as the inaugural Official support the RFU in its ambition for 750 more to be self- delighted that Prince Harry and Canterbury have pledged Partner for its programme to get more secondary sufficient rugby playing schools by the Rugby World Cup their support for All Schools. It’s an extremely important state schools playing rugby union. 2019, and to encourage new players to join local clubs. Continued on page 2… WORLD CUP WINNERS REUNITE Emma Kennedy ENGLAND RUGBY World Cup Winners will reunite of those for rugby. The nation was inspired and for the first time since 2003 at a Gala Dinner on united in support and celebration for the squad. 1 November 2013 celebrating ten years since the As momentum builds towards Rugby World Cup unforgettable Sydney final. 2015 hosted in England, and the opportunity to The 2003 squad and their management will gather deliver another great participation legacy, this at Battersea Evolution for an evening which will dinner is a wonderful occasion to celebrate the honour their achievements and raise money for two memorable tournament of 2003.” rugby charities - the RFU Injured Players Foundation CEO of The Rugby Players Association, Damian (IPF) and the Rugby Players Association’s Restart. Hopley said: “It will be fantastic to see the 2003 The Gala Dinner, organised by the RFU and RPA, World Champions reunited for the weekend in kicks off a weekend of celebrations with England support of some fantastic rugby causes. I know playing Australia the following day (Saturday 2 that the players are looking forward to seeing November) - the first of the QBE Internationals in each other a decade on and reliving those golden which England also take on Argentina (November moments. Given the great characters in the squad, 9) and New Zealand (November 16). I am sure the dinner will be an incredibly special The only team to bring the Webb Ellis Trophy to occasion for everyone fortunate enough to join the northern hemisphere, the England players of them on the evening.” 2003 will share their memories with the guests in an exclusive evening of entertainment. For more information and to book a table visit RFU & O2 TOUCH THE NATION RFU Chief Executive Ian Ritchie said: “There are www.rfu.com/tenyearanniversary Verity Williams in 2015. The RFU, working with O2, is committed moments which define a sport and 2003 was one or phone 020 8831 7930 The Rugby Football Union (RFU) recently to establishing 75 new O2 Touch Centres by June unveiled the O2 Touch tour, its biggest ever 2013 and a further 100 during 2013/14. campaign to get England playing touch rugby, Over the next two months O2 Touch and supported by The Untouchables, a touch team The Untouchables will tour across England with a difference. to promote local touch activity and attract The O2 Touch tour was officially launched new people to the game. The Untouchables at a specially-laid pitch at the iconic Truman features a mix of male and female athletes Brewery in East London. Joining The including leading free runners, a choreographer Untouchables for their inaugural performance to world-stars such as Rihanna and Dizzee was Strictly Come Dancing star Flavia Cacace Rascal and a former Leicester Tiger. They are and England Rugby players Mike Brown, Brad visiting Birmingham, Manchester, Nottingham Barritt and Alex Goode, all hoping to see this and Bristol and encouraging people of all initiative bringing the fun, fitness and social ages and abilities to sign up and participate elements of the non-contact sport to many in touch; whether at their local rugby clubs more people across England. or universities, as part of the O2 Touch Broadening the reach and appeal of rugby programme. A wider tour, which runs until April through touch is one of the key focus areas for this year, will also visit Plymouth, Portsmouth, the RFU to create a lasting legacy for the sport in Southampton, Sheffield, Hull and Norwich. the build up to and beyond the Rugby World Cup Continued on page 2… 1 PRINCE HARRY PATRON BE THERE AS ARMY BATTLES NAVY OF RFU’S ALL SCHOOLS PROGRAMME FOR THE BABCOCK TROPHY! Continued from page 1… initiative for the RFU, and is already having a significant impact up and down the country. We know that both Prince Harry and the team at Canterbury share our aims to encourage more young people to play rugby and I look forward to us growing the game together.” Commenting on the announcement of Canterbury as Official Partner, CEO Chris Stephenson, said: “The RFU’s All Schools is a fantastic programme which we are proud to support. The Canterbury kit design workshops present pupils with the unique opportunity to design their school kit, which they will later wear in action and with extra pride on the rugby pitch. The workshops offered a stimulating educational experience for those who may have little understanding of the traditional values of rugby and it was great to see the outcomes from all taking part.” All Schools forms one of the seven areas identified by the RFU to deliver the greatest participation legacy for the game in the lead up to the Rugby World Cup in 2015 and beyond. Secondary state schools have been selected in small clusters, allowing them to play rugby against each other locally. The RFU plans to take a school that is new to or has only just started to play rugby union, and turn it into a self-sufficient rugby playing school by the end of the three years providing a pipeline of players to the local rugby club. A keen sportsman and rugby fan, Prince Harry is also Vice Patron of the RFU and Patron of the RFU Injured April 27th promises to be possibly the change. Make no mistake this will be a Tom Davies from HMS Illustrious. who was Players Foundation. biggest and best Army v Navy match for real battle.” U23 captain this year. the Babcock Trophy. There will be some familiar faces on the And a ticket to the main event also gives Last year broke all records, with more hallowed turf and some up and coming access to the Vets and Women’s matches RFU & O2 TOUCH than 65,000 fans at Twickenham to see players, among them the likes of the at 10:30am at Kneller Hall, just a stones the Army victorious. This season, with redoubtable Army front row 40-year-old throw from Twickenham Stadium. The U23 THE NATION the Royal Navy hosting and intent on a Chris Budgen of the Royal Welsh, Roko Combined Services v Oxbridge U23 match Continued from page 1… fight back, supporters are promised an Rokoduguni, the flying Fijian who plays for acts as a curtain raiser to the main event at 12 exciting encounter. Bath of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, noon, with the Army v Navy kick off at 3pm. Sally Cowdry, Marketing and Consumer Director at O2 said, Said Captain Chris Alcock RN, Chairman the irrepressible POAET Dave Pascoe and “We’re really proud of our long standing relationship with England Royal Navy Rugby Union, “When allies POAET Marsh Cormack both of RNAS Tickets at £20 (family 2adults+2children Rugby and through the O2 Touch programme, are committed meet on the rugby pitch all loyalties Culdrose and look out for rising star AB £40) available from armynavymatch.org.uk to bringing rugby to everyone. Touch rugby is such an inclusive and accessible sport and we really hope that the tour and The Untouchables will inspire a whole new generation to pick up a rugby ball and start playing this exciting game.” The England Sevens trials will be held on April 13 at Surrey Fresh from rehearsals for her West End show Midnight Tango, RFU LOOKING FOR Sports Park in Guildford and the trials are completely OPEN.