The Aviva Premiership Rugby Schools Programme aims to introduce over 36,000 young people to the sport through tag rugby. The scheme is run by Premiership Rugby and the 12 Aviva Premiership Rugby clubs up and down the country and is expected to involve 600 primary schools, with 1,200 teachers also receiving training. 600 sets of equipment and resources will be distributed and 300,000 spectators are expected to watch demonstration events.

The Programme is aimed at Key Stage 2 pupils aged 9 and 10 years old.

Each school has a six week introduction to rugby where they will work on skill development, learning the rules and developing team work. A tag rugby festival takes place in week six which, for many children, will be their first taste of competitive rugby.

At the end of the 6 weeks, the children are encouraged to take part in transition coaching days at selected local rugby clubs on a Sunday, which introduces contact.

St Mary's School in Twickenham were not only selected to represent Harlequins at the Aviva Premiership Rugby Final in May but also had a very special coaching session from Harlequins Director of Rugby, Conor O'Shea.

Quins players have also made visits to a number of Brian's schools in Middlesex and Surrey, something which makes a lasting impression on the school children.

Brian Holland says:

"The exciting thing about being involved in this scheme is the great number of people I get to meet and be involved with. Every school is different and, with most of them being new to rugby, it is great to see the progress the children make over the six weeks that I am working with them. Even more rewarding is when you see the teams competing well and the pupils going on to join local clubs and enjoying playing the sport."

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