Values on the pitch
A NEW community programme that teaches Coventry schoolchildren the core values of rugby has been launched.
Engage! is a values-based education programme designed to improve children’s understanding of the core values of rugby – teamwork, respect, integrity, enjoyment and discipline – at school, on the sports field and in the community.
Between January and July this year, the programme is being delivered to more than 1,200 Year 4 pupils across 23 schools in Coventry, following a successful pilot.
Schools can also book onto the programme for September and the 2017/18 academic year and have until May 30 to register.
Two hours of learning are delivered per week – one hour of classroom learning, followed by an hour of outdoor tag rugby.
Hosted by Coventry Sports Foundation, Engage! is funded by the Millerchip Family Fund and is Youngsters signed up to the Engage! Rugby programme part of Coventry’s 10-year sports strategy to provide positive experiences through sport.
Tom Clift, programme manager at Engage! Coventry, said: “The aim is to reach more than 80 primary schools in Coventry over the next two years to continue the great work delivered last year.
“Introducing youngsters to this programme will help to make them rounded individuals so that not only are they acquiring the necessary knowledge in core subjects, but they are also developing into healthy, well-rounded and confident people.
“We also hope that by introducing children to rugby in a fun and creative way, they will develop a longstanding interest in the game, which bodes well for Coventry’s aim to become a world leader in every level of the sport by 2023.”
Email enquiries@engagecoventry.com for details.
■Pedal power! Thank you to everyone at Coventry Road Club and Deeley Construction for organising and hosting a recent bike ride. Thanks also to all the volunteers taking registrations and serving cakes and coffee to the weary cyclists. But most of all, thank you to the over 200 participants that made a donation and took part.
■Anyone for golf? LOVEITTS Estate Agents’ annual golf day in aid of Zoë’s Place takes place on June 1 at Warwickshire Golf and Country Club.
Get in touch with Louis Edwards at louis. edwards@loveitts.co.uk
■Super school effort WELL done to the Romero Catholic Schools Academy (pictured) on raising a fantastic £4,790.
All eight schools worked so hard in their fundraising, from baking cakes, doing sponsored silences, Christmas jumpers and non-school uniform day to name but a few of their initiatives.
One pupil from each school was invited by the Lord Mayor of Coventry, Councillor Lindsley Harvard, to have an afternoon tea.
■Ice, ice baby TOMORROW sees the first lesson of our Strictly Ice Dancing contestants. Fourteen novice ice skaters will take to the rink and learn how to skate in just 12 weeks, to stage a spectacular show on June 16.
It will take place at the Planet Ice Arena in Coventry. Each contestant will raise a minimum of £500 sponsorship which will go to Zoë’s Place Baby Hospice.
For more news and fundraising ideas, visit zoes-place.org.uk/ coventry