Try Rugby Schools Tournament held at Barnato Park

Try Rugby is a multi-organisation partnership between the British Council, English Premiership Rugby, Golden Lions Rugby Union and Footprints Foundation to increase participation in grassroots rugby across inner-city schools and economically deprived communities in Gauteng.

Three schools that have been newly introduced to the sport, Asteri Primary School, Malvern Primary School and John Mitchell Primary School, participated in the tournament. Over the past two months, pupils from the three schools have been participating in fun, action-packed rugby clinics geared towards introducing basic rugby skills and developing an understanding of the game.

Two English Premiership Rugby coaches, Joe Reynolds and Sam Teasdale have been involved in the coaching clinics.

Reynolds said, “We’re giving these children an opportunity to learn about rugby, the sport that was historically instrumental in this country’s greatest change. Rugby has many benefits and core values that can be beneficial to children and participants of all ages, sizes and gender.”

Tom Birtwistle, British Council deputy director, South Africa said, “Try Rugby is the best of both worlds. It provides an opportunity to have fun but also learn new skills that can be put to use on and off the field. The United Kingdom and South Africa are sports mad countries so it’s great to see we’re using our passion for the game to make connections that will last long into the future.”