Former England Rugby stars, Ugo Monye and David Flatman, gave a surprise visit to Royston Rugby Club,who have been named as a Quilter Kids First Champion. Ugo and David were there to recognise the impressive QuilterKids First approach the club have taken in creating a great rugby environment that keeps their young players in the game.
The fantastic environment the club have created was evident at a festival that the club were hosting which saw 28 local teams fielding sides. The festival focussed on taking part, learning the game and having fun. The infectious atmosphere created by coaching staff and volunteers has directly resulted in the club’s impressive player retention.
Royston Rugby club is the second of eight champions this season to be selected for the prestigious grassroots award. Following on from last season’s excitement around the programme, Quilter will travel across the country, recognising both schools and clubs who go above and beyond to put children first. Winners will be rewarded for thriving in at least one of the following areas: creating a great rugby environment, upskilling coaches, increased participation and growing the female game.
The clubs regional festival was a huge success with former England winger, Ugo Monye getting involved as a gamemanager, giving the lucky kids some advice that they won’t forget in a hurry. Meanwhile former Bath and England prop, David Flatman, ran proceedings from his umpire chair commentating on the impressive show of Quilter Kids First rugby.
Former England winger, Ugo Monye commented: “Festivals are always fun to attend. It’s great seeing all these local teams coming together, learning the game and having a lot of fun in the process. Royston Rugby Club fully deserve their Quilter Kids First Champions status. These young players certainly won’t be giving up rugby any time soon.” Royston Rugby Club Director of Rugby, Jamie Green, has worked tirelessly to promote the values that led to the club’s selection. On the club being named as a Quilter Kids First Champion, Jamie said: “What a day it’s been for our club. Our junior programme is of upmost importance to us and seeing the growth year in year out has been very special. We fully support the Quilter Kids First approach putting the player at the centre of everything we do. We are extremely proud to
have been recognised for our work.”
In addition to the training session with England rugby stars, a select group of under 13 to under 7 players from Royston Rugby Club will also have the honour of playing at the home of English Rugby, on the hallowed turf of Twickenham Stadium at the end of the season. The kids from winning clubs and schools will be treated as England Rugby players for the day as they enter through the famous Rose and Poppy Gates, visit the England changing room and sing the national anthem in front of their friends and families.
Mike Mainwaring, Head of Sponsorship at Quilter, said: “The Quilter Kids First approach is all about putting children first. Aimed at Under 7 to Under 13 boys and girls, it upskills coaches and creates a great rugby environment, so that everyone stays in the game for longer. It’s great that Royston Rugby Club has adopted this, helping to increase participation in youth rugby. The benefits for the young players and the local community is clearly on show down at the club, where they have
created a fantastic atmosphere.”
For more information on Quilter Kids First Champions, and to nominate your local club or school please visit:
https://www.englandrugby.com/my-rugby/players/kids-first-rugby/champions/