Recently, more than 400 youngsters between the ages of seven and 12 were at Shipston-on-Stour RFC for a World Cup skills day, with a morning’s coaching and a tournament in the afternoon.

The day was funded mainly by the RFU Community Department and the rugby club who provided every child with a World Cup certificate, lunch and a medal. Sporting Futures, the brainchild of England sevens player Ben Harvey, provided players to lead the local club coaches in the skills training in the morning.

More than 50 coaches from Shipston, Leamington, Stow on the Wold and Kenilworth took part, benefiting from sharing ideas and working with children from other clubs.

Said RDO Ian Bletcher, “The sessions concentrated on simple skills and high levels of activity, the coach education aspect was excellent and the day certainly achieved its aims. Coaches from the clubs grew in confidence and discussion about what they had seen helped to reinforce the new ideas and approaches.”