Schools Skills programme in Marlborough

Tasman Makos Schools Skills – supported by Crafar Crouch Construction

· New schools programme covering the Marlborough region

· Over 2000 children at 20 primary schools around Marlborough taking part

· Up to 5 hours coaching per child in rugby skills, activities and games

· Programme sponsor Crafar Crouch Construction to donate rugby balls to schools

· Focused on getting more kids into rugby as players and supporters.

Tasman Rugby this week launched their Tasman Makos Schools Skills programme. The programme will visit 20 schools in Marlborough this year and over 2000 children will be taking part. Each child will receive up to 5 hours coaching in rugby skills, activities and games. The demand from schools has been huge and already bookings are in place for schools from all around the region.

Tasman will have a team of 3 full time rugby development officers in Marlborough to help run the programme this season and are also assisted by Marlborough Boys College students on work experience as part of the Gateway programme. These students will help with delivery of the coaching sessions and will also be studying towards unit standards in coaching whilst on the job.

Programme Sponsor Crafar Crouch Construction have provided rugby balls to be gifted to participant schools so the students can keep working on their skills after the week long programme has finished.

The programme has been put in place to help attract more kids into rugby, both as players on Saturdays and as supporters of the Makos.