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Buchan School Welcomes RFU Vice President to Present Prestigious Award

By IsleOfManAdmin on Friday, May 1, 2009
Filed Under: Education, Isle of Man, Sport

Isle News, 1 May 2009 – The Vice President of the Rugby Football Union (RFU), John Owen, is visiting the Isle of Man today (Friday 1st May 2009) to present pupils at the Buchan School with a prestigious award.

Youngsters at the Castletown school, which is the junior school of King William’s College, have been awarded the RFU President’s XV Award. In doing so, they have become one of only 15 schools or sports clubs in the UK to win the award for the 2008/2009 sports season and beaten off stiff competition from hundreds of UK-wide nominees. The President’s Award is one of the most prestigious accolades that can be given to junior players and recognises the outstanding commitment to, and level of rugby being played by a school or club. In 2008 and again this year, the Buchan School will represent the Isle of Man in the final of the UK Junior Schools Tag Rugby Final.

Commitment to rugby is taken very seriously at the Buchan School. Pupils begin playing the tag version of the sport at five years of age including in a Saturday club – girls are also encouraged to participate. Junior teams play against primary schools from around the Isle of Man.

The Buchan School was nominated for the RFU President’s Award by Steve Cope, Master in charge of Rugby at King William’s College. After watching pupils grow and develop their skills, going on to reach two consecutive UK School Tag Rugby finals, he felt they should get some recognition for their achievements by being nominated for this award.

John Owen, current Vice President of the RFU and soon to be President, will present Buchan Headteacher, Alison Hope Hedley, and PE teacher, Neil MacGregor, with the award at a ceremony taking place today at the school along with a cheque for £500 which will be used towards further development of the sport. He is travelling to the Isle of Man especially for the presentation and will be accompanied by Mike Hart, RFU Volunteer Executive for the North of England. Whilst visiting the school, both dignitaries will watch more than a hundred boys and girls aged between six and eleven take part in various demonstration rugby matches on the school playing fields.

Neil MacGregor, PE teacher at the Buchan School, commented: “It was a great honour when I found out that the pupils had won this award and it is an honour to be able to welcome John Owen to the school today to present it to them.

“Rugby is a game enjoyed by both male and female pupils at the Buchan School from the age of five upwards – their passion and enthusiasm for the sport is demonstrated by their achievements on the pitch including twice reaching the final of the UK Junior Schools Tag Rugby competition in the last two years.

“As well as keeping children fit and healthy, rugby is a very disciplined and fun sport so the benefits to them are enormous. The RFU President’s XV Award will only enhance the development of rugby at the Buchan School further, as well as pupils’ overall playing experience.”

Alison Hope Hedley, Headteacher of the Buchan School, commented: “All of our pupils at the Buchan School should be very proud of their achievements in winning this award. It is testament to their hard work and dedication that they have been recognised in this way by the RFU and have the privilege of meeting John Owen, President elect of the RFU.

“I know they will benefit greatly from this, and hope they go on to be successful in the final of the UK Schools Tag Rugby competition later this year.”

ENDS

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