Leith Rugby Youth Development (LRYD)
UPDATE (September 2020):
What a Difference!
Until our project delivery started in 2016 no rugby coaching was available to the children and youth of Leith. Our efforts have ensured that curricular rugby is now available to all P4 – P7 children in each of the 6 primary schools within the Leith. In addition, we now offer rugby to a significant number of pupils within Leith Academy and more recently, in 3 further and neighbouring primary schools.
Curricular planning within the schools this past year (albeit curtailed) has resulted in nearly 1,500 children being provided with rugby coaching. These children have enjoyed and profited from our project’s coaching and the sports’ associated physical, mental and social benefits. It is hoped that future curricular planning will allow other children, who missed out this year, to receive rugby coaching in the coming season.
A further 2 additional extra-curricular clubs have been established, providing school children with the opportunity of receiving more intensive rugby coaching. The introduction of regular rugby coaching and now some competitive games, has provided the pupils with exercise, fitness and friendship and installed valuable team building and leadership disciplines.
We have created a pathway for U18 players to join Leith Rugby and in 2019, we had our first 2 school leavers join the adult section of the club where they have featured for the men’s team throughout the year.The newly (SRU) introduced Aspiring Performers Project for sport delivers an alternative education qualification for sport-minded senior pupils. Our head coach has been at the forefront of the delivery of this course and the success of this year’s project has already led to the headmaster at Leith Academy enquiring whether our coaches could deliver 2 classes next school year.
We have introduced new volunteer coaches to rugby and these coaches have been encouraged to gain formal qualification. Volunteer numbers (+12) are on the increase and nearly 40 new members have joined Leith Rugby.
11 coaches now hold the UK Level 1 Coaching qualification and we anticipate that most of these coaches will progress to Level 2 over the next year or two. The pleasing aspect in this regard is that 2 pupils from Leith Academy have gained their UKCC Level 1 qualification.
On an individual basis our head coach has been charged with attaining the valued UK Level 3 Coaching qualification this coming season and the Assistant Coach with furthering her Strength and Conditioning qualification to the notable Level 4.
Our Sunday rugby has proved to be very popular with numbers rising from 6 in the project’s first few weeks to 60+ recently.
We acknowledge the financial support provided by SportScotland, The Bill Mclaren Foundation, The Friends of Scottish Rugby, Global Capital Partners, MGM Timber Ltd, Sporting Start, Edinburgh Airport, JK Young Endowment and Baillie Gifford. Your support really is appreciated as we could not take our project forward without you amazing help. Thank-you!
Alex Bowman
Leith Rugby Youth Development
Original Entry (April 2017):
Leith Rugby Club is a small club which has operated in the heart of the Leith community since it was founded as Leith Academicals Rugby Football
Club in 1921.
Currently, the first XV team performs well in the East National Leagues and in the past, has produced a number of Edinburgh District players as
well as two of its members becoming President and Vice President of Scottish Rugby (George Jack and Bob Munro). A second XV has been established
over the past 3 seasons as the club has slowly built its membership to around 150 playing and non-playing members.
Leith Rugby Youth Development (LRYD) was set up as a charity in 2016 to offer primary and secondary pupils the opportunity to play rugby.
Prior to 2016, there was no rugby being delivered to primary schools in Leith and as of August 2016, there was no rugby coaching provided at
Leith Academy.
Leith Rugby Club is an integral and important part of the Leith community and through the LRYD programme our aim is to fill the gap in rugby
provision within the community and in turn grow the grass roots base of our club and continue to expand our playing, non-playing and volunteer
numbers.
We have appointed a part time Development Officer (UKCC qualified professional coach), operating 2 days per week throughout the academic year,
to provide introductory rugby sessions including in-service opportunities for staff in the 6 Leith primary schools that feed Leith Academy.
These sessions have proved to be very successful and have been eagerly supported by pupils, teachers and their respective Headteachers.
In addition, 3 highly successful Festivals of Rugby have been held, each involving up to 300 pupils and their teachers.
Our programme now also offers Friday afternoon rugby for the pupils of Leith Academy and we have provided support to their girls’ team (Leith
Vixens) which has been started by one of the teachers.
As we expand to provide curricular coaching across S1 and S2 pupils at Leith Academy, we aim in time, to re-establish rugby teams in the
Academy for boys and girls and to increase the provision of extra-curricular rugby. Our ambition is to be able to offer coaching across both
primary and secondary schools, 4.5 days a week and weekend coaching and support for school teams on an ongoing and sustainable basis.
Fund raising for our programme has proved to be challenging as many trusts will not fund curricular activity as this is perceived to be the
role of the local authority and/or headteachers. The reality is that the local authority has no money available to fund these activities.
Therefore, LRYD must continue to source the funding required to deliver the objectives of an exciting, worthwhile and rewarding rugby programme.
The generous grant from Friends of Scottish Rugby is much appreciated and goes some way to support our ambition to further the growth of youth
rugby across Leith.
Russell Duncan
Leith Rugby Youth Development
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Leith Rugby Club