The Regents Review - Winter 2015

The Regents Review Winter 2015

GENERAL NEWS

All Schools Programme Students participating in Rugby at Regents Park have had some amazing experiences this year due to the ‘All Schools Programme’ which we have been involved in. The ‘All Schools Programme’ is a national initiative with the aim of raising participation and enjoyment in Rugby in all schools throughout the country. The programme intends to reach over 750 state schools nationwide, which will result in an increase of 1 million students playing Rugby regularly. Canterbury clothing, the official supplier of England’s Rugby kit – have also been involved by supplying each school a full bespoke Rugby kit designed by their students. The ‘All Schools Programme’ has the backing of Prince Harry as its patron. Regents Park Rugby experiences this year as part of the ‘All Schools Programme’ have included: • Competing against local schools in a day’s tournament at Winchester and Eastleigh Rugby Clubs; • ‘All Schools‘ regular evening tournament against local schools; • Twickenham stadium tour; • Twickenham touch tournament against other schools nationwide; • Meeting Rugby legends, Jason Leonard, most capped England player; Maggie Alphonsi, ex England women’s flanker; Mike Catt, World Cup winner and Andy Farrell; • Taking part in the opening ceremony of the 2015 Rugby World Cup. Opening Ceremony Regents Park, as part of the ‘All Schools Programme’ was invited to be a part of Rugby World Cup Opening Ceremony in recognition of their success in the scheme. 10 students, who had demonstrated a high level of commitment and enjoyment, from the Year 8 Rugby team were selected. All the students were very excited at the prospect of being involved in a prestigious, once in a lifetime event in front of 82,000 people at Twickenham as well as billions on television around the world. The boys took part in a number of rehearsals at ‘Ealing Trailfinders Rugby club’ as well as at Twickenham in the days leading up to the opening ceremony, in preparation for the opening night as England took on Fiji.

The boys got some sense of occasion rehearsing at Twickenham days before the first game, but seemed to be completely taken back when they arrived on the opening day of the Rugby World Cup. When the boys arrived they were ushered through crowds waiting to enter the stadium, through security and were able to wander around the stadium hours before England kicked off against Fiji. The students did one final rehearsal back stage, before being escorted past thousands of people to pitch side – ready to walk out onto Rugby’s biggest stage. After the opening ceremony all the students involved were clapped and given ‘high fives’ by members of the public, which made them feel like rock stars. The excitement of being involved and appearing on global television was evident on the journey back to Regents Park after England beat Fiji with renditions of ‘World in Union and ‘Jerusalem’ being sung.

6