Blue Bulls Rugby Union set to launch the Let’s Play
Schools Rugby Project
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More than 1 500 boys and girls aged between 8 and 10 years old will participate in the 2012 launch
of the Let’s Play Schools Rugby Project at Loftus Versfeld from 1pm to 3pm next Tuesday (29 May).
The schools league project was introduced in 2011 to ensure that the BBRU helps to deliver and
sustain sport in schools by means of a dedicated rugby development programme, which is in line
with the vision of the National Department of Education’s School Sport Policy.
Barend van Graan, Blue Bulls Company CEO, said it is imperative for the Union to have this
partnership with the Department of Basic Education (Gauteng), the City of Tshwane and the
Gauteng Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture Department to ensure that goals are achieved and that
talent is nurtured.
Vaughn Bishop – Manager Let’s Play (SuperSport) stated, “In the pilot project last year, we
introduced 1 500 boys and girls in the 7 to 10 year old age group to basic rugby skills and paid
particular attention to those schools that fell under the former disadvantaged communities. Like the
School Sport Policy, we want to play our part in promoting healthy lifestyles through sport
participation while creating and nurturing a sporting culture in our community.”
This year, rugby will be introduced formally to 44 identified primary schools from the Inner City,
Pioneer Sub-West, Pioneer Sub-East and Pioneer North regions. Through the Let’s Play Schools
Rugby Project, the BBRU intends to create a sustainable rugby culture, present an inclusive
programme for both boys and girls.
This programme will incorporate various formats and facets of the game, while also assisting to
market and promote rugby within communities and empower clusters to host their own schools
leagues.
Other objectives of the project include the training of coaches and officials, monitoring of training
sessions at schools, assisting with match fixtures, providing equipment and the creation of a talent
identification programme.
Bulletjie Rugby Rules apply and the league will take the format of tag rugby. Each cluster will have a
league of eight schools, with each school expected to field three teams (two boys teams and one
girls team) of Under 8s, Under 9s and Under 10s. All schools in a cluster will play at one venue.
All the action kicks off at 1pm at the Main Pavilion ground floor at Loftus Versfeld on Tuesday, 29
May when hundreds of budding young rugby stars showcase their talent and skills, while harbouring
dreams of one day representing the Blue Bulls Company.
The Blue Bulls are delighted to host the Honourable Deputy Minister of Sport and Recreation Mr.
Gert Oosthuizen as well as other High ranking officials from the Departments of Sport, Arts, Culture
and Recreation as well as the Department of Basic Education at the Launch.
Written for and on behalf of The Blue Bulls Company by The PR Machine
([email protected]).