A MAJOR new schools rugby initiative is under way in Fylde.
Rugby Union Football in Fylde Schools aims to develop the game in local schools and is proving a big success in the area.
The new leagues began in September and of the eight senior schools involved two are from Fylde and have been involved in a we
ekly league competition at under 12s, 13s, 14s and 16s levels.
Lytham St Annes High School and Carr Hill High School are taking part.
The idea of the leagues is to give young people at local schools a taste of regular rugby in an organised, competitive and enjoyable format.
Some pupils are already be in school teams or clubs but many are not and RUFFS aims to improve the skills of the students involved.
The philosopy is to keep the ball in hand and develop all-round skills. No kicking from hand or to touch is allowed and there are no goal kicks, so only tries count in scoring terms to keep the game fluid and dynamic.
Alan Holmes, Fylde RFC's Rugby Development Manager and the organised of RUFFS, has been delighted with the response of the schools and the pupils involved.
He said: "Fylde RFC has excellent relationships with the public schools in the area. They have great rugby traditions and produce many excellent players.
“RUFFS is aimed at those schools who haven't necessarily the same tradition of playing rugby and often concentrate on soccer and other sports.
“The potential talent in these schools is immense.”
Thirty games have been played involving 330 young people and the competition is halfway through.
It starts again after February half term when there is more daylight as the games are played after school.
Cardinal Allen lead the U'12s table, Broughton head the U'13s league, Lytham St Annes High lead the U'14s league and Fleetwood High the U'16s table.
The full article contains 318 words and appears in Lytham St Annes Express newspaper.
