The WRU has teamed up with StreetGames to develop an exciting approach to the game which takes rugby out of the traditional club environment and on to the streets of the youngsters themselves.
Street Stars is being piloted by WRU participation officers in car parks, street corners and public games areas throughout the Newport Gwent Dragons rugby Region initially, but could be rolled out in other Regions and throughout Wales. The concept uses an obstacle course to challenge young people’s skills in passing, evasion, throwing, kicking and tackling – and all against the clock. The results are recorded and the top participants from Blaenau Gwent to Torfaen, Caerphilly, Newport and Islwyn will be entered into a finals day and invited to a Newport Gwent Dragons regional game at Rodney Parade.
The purpose of the project is to attract new players to the game, especially young people from deprived areas who aren’t currently engaged in rugby. It has health benefits, getting young people more active and participating in engaging, physical activities, and socially it can act as a positive, diversionary activity in some potentially anti-social hot spots.
The figures for the pilot are already positive with well over 3,000 having gone through the course so far this summer.
WRU national development manager Jason Lewis said, “We are always looking for new ways to attract people to the game of rugby, whether it’s playing, coaching, refereeing or supporting clubs. Street Stars is a fantastic way of reaching out to all those youngsters who don’t currently have access to rugby – or who wouldn’t necessarily be attracted to traditional forms of rugby or other sports in schools or clubs. We are also acutely aware that rugby-related activities can have a positive social impact on young people, both from a health and social point of view, which can even lead to young people re-engaging in education and positive lifestyle choices. We would encourage anything that promotes outcomes of this nature.”
Wales and Dragons forward Andrew Coombs said, “It’s nice to see young people from the community coming off the streets and having a go at rugby which is not something they would necessarily do very often. It’s great to see them having fun. It’s always important to keep an eye out for any new talent, especially in this area.”
Caro Wild, Wales manager of Street Games, said, “The WRU community team have really got to grips with understanding how to engage and enthuse young people from disadvantaged communities. This has seen many more young people getting active and trying something they wouldn’t usually take part in, on their doorsteps. It is great to see the WRU taking steps to go the extra yard and try and attract even more kids to play sport.”
