Over 50 rugby-playing children from Edmonton enjoyed a special treat this morning when stars from the IRB Women’s Rugby World Cup dropped by a Junior Youth Rugby Camp at the Clansmen Rugby Football Club.
Players and coaches from most of the 12 Women’s RWC teams were on hand to take the children, aged between eight and 14, through a variety of training drills and skills sessions between 10 am and 1pm.
International Rugby Board Regional Development Manager for North America and the West Indies, Tom Jones, who has been involved in organising the event, said, “The attendance of some of the leading players from the Women’s Rugby World Cup at the Junior Youth Rugby Camp really benefited the event.
The players and coaches gave these children a once in a lifetime experience by delivering a variety of training drills in half hour slots. There was also the opportunity for the children to quiz the stars and collect a few autographs.
“The aim of the day for the IRB was firstly for the children to have a fun day and really enjoy themselves, but also to widen their knowledge about the game and to leave the camp wanting more.”
Lasting legacy
The event was just one activity of the IRB’s Legacy and Development initiative for Women’s RWC which will ensure that a lasting footprint of the sport is left in Edmonton and the wider community long after the tournament is finished.
“The IRB in conjunction with Rugby Canada has organised a number of events throughout the tournament,” added Jones. “We have already held a Match Officials workshop, run by IRB Referee Manager Paddy O’Brien, which was well attended and a great success.
“As the tournament reaches its final stages, we are also twinning teams with local schools ahead of the final, which should be a special experience for all involved. Already the USA team has visited a local Young Offenders Centre to deliver a coaching session to a group of youths who had never previously played the sport and the day was tremendously successful.”