The Sports Council for Wales’s flagship programme Dragon Sport is teamingup with the Welsh Rugby Union to introduce TAG rugby to primary school children. More than 200 youngsters from across Cardiff and the Vale will be celebrating TAG’s introduction on Sunday immediately after the Wales v New Zealand game at Jenner Park (11am-1pm).
Having been piloted, first in the Vale of Glamorgan and then Cardiff, TAG rugby is now being rolled out right across Wales with the support of local authorities and rugby clubs.
The Sports Council for Wales’s Dragon Sport Manager Anne Hamilton explained: “TAG rugby provides younger children the chance to enjoy rugby and to emulate their heroes without the contact and the tackling. Parents can be reassured that they are playing in a safe environment that gives them a good introduction to the skills of rugby.”
Steve Lewis of the WRU explained how TAG rugby will impact on the game in Wales: “The WRU has recognised TAG rugby as the official game for under 8s in our development pathway. Our development staff will be playing a vital role in training up volunteers as leaders of TAG rugby and I believe that this will make a significant difference to the game as a whole.”
“In association with the Sports Council for Wales we are seeking to increase both enjoyment and participation in rugby in Wales and TAG rugby is a great way to introduce the game to youngsters.”
Last year, more than 73,000 children took part in Dragon Sport activities. With 895 schools and 479 clubs now signed up to Wales’s biggest campaign to get primary school children playing sport, the initiative is exceeding initial expectations.
The TAG news comes hot on the heels of a funding agreement by the Sports Council with the WRU to plough £40,000 into training and qualifying rugby referees as well as an earmarked lottery investment of £3m to construct theWRU’s national and regional academy facilities.
