Glasgow Warriors No 8 Johnnie Beattie and team mate Fergus Thomson yesterday visited St Maurice's High School in Cumbernauld to launch Quality Meat Scotland's (QMS) nutritional programme which is part of the SRU initiative 'School of Rugby'.
Date:
Tue, 08 Nov 2011
Source:
QMS
QMS:
website
The School of Rugby will provide a context for learning inside and outside of the classroom, allowing all pupils to experience rugby, and improve their fitness and physical literacy. This in turn will contribute to an enhanced educational experience in each of the participating schools.
Each School of Rugby will be supported with a package of resources, enabling more staff to deliver a thriving rugby programme across the school including a focused curricular programme for a number of S1 pupils.
The broad rugby programme consists of rugby teams at all ages, opportunities for the development of girls' teams and non-playing opportunities for senior pupils, in rugby coaching, refereeing, volunteering and running sport in local primary schools and rugby clubs.
Quality Meat Scotland's Chairman, Jim McLaren said: "There is a real synergy between farming and rugby, particularly a sense of pride and determination to be undaunted by the elements. Our sponsorship builds on Quality Meat Scotland's existing health and education programme which involves sporting heroes who will inspire young people to get involved.
"Eating well is a very important part of achieving optimum fitness and we are delighted to be involved in promoting good health and fitness within Scottish schools.
"QMS already has a strong association with rugby as three former Scotland international legends, David Sole, John Jeffrey and Rob Wainwright farm in Scotland producing Scotch Beef, Scotch Lamb and Specially Selected Pork from animals that have spent their whole lives being raised to some of the world's highest standards through the QMS Assurance schemes."
This CashBack for Communities funded programme will offer a catalyst to motivate and develop some of Scotland's young people. It will also aim to create an environment where sport makes a significant contribution to the delivery of 'A Curriculum for Excellence', playing a central role in the life of the school.
Laurie Byrne, Head Teacher of St Maurice's High School said " We are excited to be part of the School of Rugby initiative and receiving support from Scottish Rugby, QMS, North Lanarkshire Council and Cumbernauld Rugby Club.
"We believe the programme gives a unique opportunity for our young people to develop the core skills of rugby and qualities for everyday life. Using rugby we can teach so much about healthy lifestyles, teamwork, respect for others and our personal capacity for improvement.
"We are delighted to be part of this initiative and we already see the benefits in the personal and social development of the young people who are part of our School of Rugby."
Scottish Rugby's Head of Community Rugby, Colin Thomson said "Scottish Rugby believes passionately that school sport plays an important role in the education of youngsters. Through the Schools of Rugby initiative we aim to develop youngsters into confident and competent individuals, showing the positive impact sport has on them and on the school communities they come from."
"So far we have established partnerships with 17 schools in Scotland, all of varying playing levels, who have committed to establishing and developing this initiative in their school community."
"We believe that by working with the education sector and the selected schools, we will demonstrate the educational benefits of rugby to young people and their communities."
More healthy eating news