By Ivor Smith

Essex RDO Matt Davies and ARDO Chris Green saw months of planning come to fruition with school rugby tag festivals with a RWC theme in every borough in East London and Essex.

The festivals kicked off on Mudchutes Farm on the Isle of Dogs in Tower Hamlets under the shadows of Canary Wharf. Millwall RFC who are hoping to encourage a youth section for the area named all the participating schools after teams taking part in the World Cup. They recently had 16 club members take the RFU level 1 coaching course to help introduce rugby to the area. Support from the Canary Wharf PLC saw prizes presented at the event and a miniature RWC Rugby Ball given to each youngster.

St Josephs Primary School from Havering won the Upminster RFC schools tag event after very close final refereed by the club’s volunteer coach Gary Cook. A number of children and parents then asked for further information about the club.
Patrick Redding of Westcliff RFC held a schools tag festival for 16 and at East London RFC 12 schools from the London Borough of Newham took part in a Royal & SunAlliance sponsored inner city tag festival.