Skill through fun at the Greenyards

Around 30 young rugby enthusiasts in the school age bracket from P1 to S2 enjoyed a couple of days learning about the game at Melrose RFC's summer camps.
By The Newsroom
Published 20th Jul 2018, 13:05 BST
Updated 20th Jul 2018, 13:12 BST
Putting some newly-acquired skills to the test (picture by Douglas Hardie)Putting some newly-acquired skills to the test (picture by Douglas Hardie)
Putting some newly-acquired skills to the test (picture by Douglas Hardie)

The BT Premiership champions and BT Cup winners staged a two-day session last week for children aged around 5-10, followed by another two-day gathering for P6s-S2s.

The annual camps are based on games and learning skills in a fun environment, while making the experience as enjoyable for the young devotees as possible.

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An enthusiastic group enjoys the perfect weather (picture by Douglas Hardie)An enthusiastic group enjoys the perfect weather (picture by Douglas Hardie)
An enthusiastic group enjoys the perfect weather (picture by Douglas Hardie)

The coaching is naturally adapted for the big age range, with the youngsters learning about skills-based passing, team play, supporting the player with the ball, getting into defensive positions, and more.

The younger children are taught the importance of rules such as being behind the player in possession, while there’s a little more intensity for the older players, such as reacting to opponents coming towards them and getting passes away.

The youngsters were delighted to receive course certificates from Melrose’s Craig Jackson, BT Premiership player of the season and a member of the Scotland squad for this weekend’s 7s World Cup in San Francisco.

Melrose’s commercial manager David Peace said: “The kids liked seeing someone they recognised who got to the pinnacle, and here he was giving them their certificates.”

There are more camps at the Greenyards this Tuesday/Wednesday (P1-5) and Thursday/Friday (P6-S2).

Related topics:PremiershipMelroseScotland