Thanet Wanderers Schools and Community Programme is sponsored by Watkins and the Paul Keohane Sports Fund, which is part of Thanet Wanderers.
The Schools and Community Programme takes place during term time and provides Ruby coaching to local schools (primary and secondary) by providing in-curriculum coaching and after school rugby clubs. Despite the activities of the in-school time rugby coaching and the Schools Hub being curtailed during the month of December due to the Christmas holidays, attendance at both events continued to be encouraging.
Throughout December, despite the Christmas holidays, there were two in-school coaching sessions with a total attendance of 108 pupils of which 48 were girls.
There were three School Hub sessions with 24, 20 and 17 attendees on the three respective weeks. Of the 61 youngsters that turned up 14 were girls.
The ladies section also continues to grow and by Christmas numbers had increased from single figures to a total of 15. If the growth rate continues the ladies will soon be able to play competitive 7s and 10s rugby which is fantastic news.
Thanet Wanderers have also now appointed a Women’s Director of Rugby, Vicky Diamantis, in an effort to increase interest from ladies.
Plans going forward.
An inter-schools rugby competition for years 7/8/9 is being organised to take place at Thanet Wanderers ground. The year 7 competition will take place on the 22nd March, that for year 8 on the 23rd March and for year 9 on the 24th March. All local schools have been contacted together with schools from Deal, Dover and Canterbury.
We’re thrilled to be setting up a rugby hub for special needs children which will be sponsored by Watkins and the Paul Keohane Sports Fund through Thanet Wanderers together with the Kent RFU and Wooden Spoon, which is the children’s charity for rugby. All schools in Thanet for special needs children will be invited to take part. The hub sessions will run for a seven week period from the 7th June this year until the 19th July. If the event is successful more long term plans for this sort of event will be put in place.
Promotion of the girls and ladies sections will be increased to try and attract more participants. Additional coaches have joined this part of the scheme in the last few weeks and this will hopefully attract more people.
We’re delighted that four new primary schools are joining the Schools and Community Programme for in-school coaching. These are Northbourne School, Holy Trinity School, St Lawrence Primary School and Haddendean School.
