Rugby
following a ruck. What has delivered the greatest improvement in our rugby union performance is probably the line speed needed from the entire squad in rugby league with the boys interchanging between drift and blitz defence in unison to exert defensive pressure on their opponents.
What are the main benefits for pupils?
Nick O’Connor: Both codes have great complementing skill sets. More kids are getting active and enjoying the competitive side of both games.
Shane Birkett: With the rugby league code giving the team six tackles, the boys have become accustomed to running the ball out from their own try line with confidence rather than kicking for territory. This has also given the boys greater time with the ball in their hands enabling them to look to exploit spaces.
What do the pupils think about it?
Nick O’Connor: Kids are kids. They’ll play whatever generally and indeed more so if they are getting out of lessons. Representing the school is still seen as something to aspire to and be proud of.
Shane Birkett: They really enjoy how both codes help each other’s skillsets. One particular highlight is the school’s ex-student Jordan
Issue No.81 January/February/March 2021 SCHOOL SPORT 31
Bond (who captained the U12’s team that won the Champion Schools final at Wembley in 2012) making his Exeter Chiefs debut last season in the Premiership 7s.
What help do you get from local clubs?
Nick O’Connor: I know what a proper club/school link looks like so I’ve built good relationships with clubs and NGBs of both codes and I’m fairly abreast of what’s going on and what their capacity is to support. The clubs are happy to help out when they can. Halifax are
the professional rugby league club and they have a foundation we can tap into for coaches. These usually come in six- to eight-week blocks and are dependent on their funding. Both the RFU and RFL are stretched and the RFL don’t have development officers. In rugby union, we’ve got two big girls’ clubs in Old Crossleyans and Old Brodleians who bring in their coaches to help and liaise generally. There’s additional support apart from the RFU. White Rose rugby are great and provide a real
development platform for rugby union across Yorkshire.
Shane Birkett: More and more of our students are now gaining county honours and places in both rugby league and rugby union academies at London Broncos and Harlequins EDPP. We look forward to future successes in both codes and giving the students the opportunity to develop their potential and continue playing rugby throughout adulthood in the code they prefer.
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