Community Rugby Project Tag Festival Friday 13th September

19/9/2013

Photo: Orkney Photographic

On Friday 13th September a huge 478 kids were involved in the Orkney RFC Community Rugby Project on the outfield pitches at the Pickaquoy centre. It was a nice calm day for everyone to really get stuck in and play Tag Rugby. There were 54 teams involved with 12 different pitches. Eight pitches were for the festival and then on the other four was a competitive tournament.

Schools entered different teams into either the festival or the tournament. Thirty eight teams entered the festival and the other sixteen in the tournament. It was a very popular event with many north isles, inner isles and mainland schools keen to get involved such as Burray, Dounby Evie, Firth, Glaitness, North Ronaldsay, Orphir, Rousay, St Andrews, Shapinsay, Stenness, Stromness, North Walls, Eday, Papay, Stronsay and Papdale.

Lots of action and quality rugby was played throughout the day and it was good to see everyone trying hard and getting involved in what we are trying to achieve. Each game in the festival lasted for twelve minutes with six minute halves and the tournament games were seven minutes long with no half time.
The thirty eight teams in the festival were split into groups of five giving us eight groups with two mixed teams to make up the numbers. The games were mainly for enjoyment and to develop rugby skills and teamwork.
The tournament was slightly different however as it had four teams in each of the four groups which gave us a great contest in the competition. The top team of each group went into a group of four themselves to see who would come out on top.
In the top group there were two Stromness teams and two St Andrews teams but it was St Andrews who came out on top at the end of the day with Stromness coming 2nd.

Each pitch had a referee and a pitch manager to keep everything on time so it was great to see many volunteers wanting to get involved to see what we are doing as well as all the teachers and parents who came along to support the event. It was a very well organised event but couldn’t have been achieved without the help of all the children who got involved and volunteers who came. I hope future Tag Festivals can be as successful as the one today and we see the same commitment from everyone around the schools and ORFC.

St Andrews teacher Neil McIntosh commented:

“Well done and thanks to you and all those helpers from the club and beyond who came and made this another fantastic success. One of the things I've failed to mention in the past is the improvement in the skills of the young referees who are there to help and encourage the youngsters throughout their day and ensure they are not only aware of the rules but are respected and comfortable in the games they play. Well done to those young folk!”

“From the pupils perspective it was another huge success. Pupils from all over the islands came together to enjoy and appreciate the game of tag and play at such a high level. The standard of play from everyone today was truly fantastic. Great skills and awareness of each other as well as control, support and gamesmanship were very noticeable today.”

Our pupils have these quotes for you:

"It was another fun and enjoyable experience. We enjoyed the competitive league and can't wait to do it again!" Freya and Gavin
"We thought the competitive league was fun and challenging. We through it was really well organised and the ref's weren't mean and everyone played fairly!" Keith, Senga and Jack
"The rugby was really good fun and we tried our best!" Ryan, Amy T and Archie
"It was wet at times but great fun. Today was the best and I wish we could do it everyday!" Owen and Jenna
"We really enjoyed the festival and we are really excited for next week’s tag session". Amy B, Leah and Faith
"Really enjoyed it. Best one yet!" Murray, Zoe and Emily

Event organiser Bruce Ruthven commented:

“It’s been a fantastic start to the school year with today’s tag festival and tournament.
The tournament was an added feature to the day which worked out really well and gave the schools an opportunity to play in slightly more competitive games.
The standard of play throughout the day was a real credit to the children and once again the bar has been raised in respect to the players continued development.
A big thank you must go to the volunteers who did a great job throughout the day and also to CashBack for Communities for their assistance towards schools travelling expenses.
The next Festival is scheduled for Friday 2nd of May. Myself and Mark look forward to seeing you around the schools or at your local mini section.”

Report by Mark Sinclair (Orkney RFC and SRU Modern Apprentice)

More photos available here