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15 Sep 98

First Class Try for the Royal Mail and Sportsmatch

Photocall - Branksome Heath Middle School, Poole, 3.00pm, Monday 21st September 1998, Bulky British Lion Rugby Player Richard Hill meets Royal Mail postman

The Borough of Poole Sports Development Officer forms another winning team! Royal Mail and Sportsmatch are to support the development of Rugby in Poole. The £4,500 programme to be delivered by the Rugby Youth development Officer will benefit all schools in Poole, offering free equipment, training for teachers and coaching for kids.

At 3.00 p.m. on Monday 21st September 1998, at Branksome Heath Middle School the scheme will be launched. Richard Hill, British Lions, England International and Saracens RFC will launch the scheme by coaching youngsters from the school with the help of a local postman who will be making a special delivery.

Richard Hill agreed to launch the scheme as he personally knows the benefit of receiving coaching opportunities early on. He said: "If it wasn't for learning Rugby through the non contact versions of the game at an early age I wouldn't be playing for Saracens and England now. It is through Tag Rugby that you learn the basic skills required to play the game. Rugby is about running around people, deft handling, good footwork and speed, and Tag Rugby has got all of those."

Richard started his Rugby career at school at the age of eight and went on to play for Dorset and Wilts Rugby Squad and Salisbury RFC before going on to play for Saracens and his Country.

This is the start of an exciting initiative for Poole. Through the scheme pupils in 32 primary/junior schools in Poole will receive free tags, rugby balls and coaching. In addition each school can select two teachers to attend a free course on how to teach Tag Rugby. Secondary schools will receive free Rugby balls and the pupils will be given the opportunity to develop their skills with free coaching from top local coaches.

Michaela Hutchings, Sports Development Officer (01202) 261303 or 0802 515921