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Tag Festival 2005

More than a hundred pupils from schools in South Bristol took part in the second annual Cotham Park RFC Tag Rugby Festival.

Following the success of last year’s inaugural event, organisers were forced to increase the number of participating schools to seven, with players from Birdwell School in Long Ashton joining those from Ashton Gate, Ashton Vale, Christ Church, Luckwell, Southville and South Street primary schools.

The tournament, involving the fast-moving and non-contact version of the game, was organised by Cotham Park in partnership with Ashton Park School. 18 sixth form pupils were presented with the opportunity to exercise their Sports Leadership skills by each taking responsibility as a team's manager. The event was part of the Failand-based club’s initiative to encourage young persons of all ages and abilities from the local community to participate in rugby.

Cotham Park’s RFU-qualified coaches led specialist workshops throughout the day, while players from the club’s senior ranks were also on-hand to help the students hone their skills. The games were officiated by referees from the Bristol Referees' Society.

Festival Organiser Chris Meechan, who in recent months has been holding coaching sessions in three local junior schools, said:

It was terrific to see over so many young people having a great time in a spirit of fierce competition and goodwill. 44 matches were played in four pools, which represents a lot of enthusiasm and energy expended.

Coaching in local schools, I have noticed that there is a real thirst amongst young people for competitive physical exercise. They really enjoy learning new skills and putting them to the test in a game situation.

This is the second year for Cotham Park, and the tournament was undoubtedly bigger and better than last year. The festival is now an annual event and we look forward to initiating future generations of young people from South Bristol into the joys of rugby. Tag rugby is a fantastic sport which allows children to enjoy all the excitement of the full game with no physical contact or tackling.

Introduced five years ago, tag rugby is a vibrant version of rugby suitable for boys and girls to play together. Players wear a tag belt around their waist, and a tackle is made when one of two Velcro strips attached to the belt is removed, forcing the player to pass the ball. Each team has six phases or ‘tags’ in which to score a try. A match is made up of two halves, each of five minutes duration, with a one minute interval at half-time.

Beth Jones, Schools Sports Co-ordinator for Ashton Park School, said: “The standard of play has undoubtedly improved since last year, and a number of those who played will now want to join local rugby clubs after the positive experience of playing in this festival.”

More teams were involved this year, which shows how popular tag rugby is becoming. The students thoroughly enjoyed the experience of playing on 'real' pitches, as some of the schools had only been able to train on playgrounds.

This festival clearly demonstrated the benefits and camaraderie that comes with team games and being part of a sporting community not just rugby, but games of any type.

Earlier this year, Cotham Park gained the prestigious RFU Seal of Approval, awarded to clubs whose youth section satisfies the rigorous criteria set by the RFU in providing a safe, effective and child-friendly environment. It aims to increase and sustain the number of young people participating in rugby at grass roots level.

The club’s successful youth policy has been further demonstrated in 2005 by the appointment of 22-year-old Dom Carroll and 21-year-old Will Kite to the positions of 1st XV captain and vice-captain respectively. The former has risen through the junior ranks while the latter is a former member of the club’s successful under-nine squad.

* Tag Rugby Festival news article
* photos