North Walsham Rugby Football Club

Our partnership with North Walsham Rugby Football Club (NWRFC) originally aimed to expand extra-curricular opportunities for the children within our schools, but staff soon began to understand the wide range of skills and principles the sport offered to our students.

Both boys and girls get access to the club, but also to events run by England Rugby. It encourages students to get involved in the game but also helps them develop a whole range of skills such as communication, teamwork, leadership and resilience.

With the support of NWRFC, our schools hold regular events, rugby festivals and inter-school tournaments. At the end of each session, students are encouraged to summarise what they have learned from the game and what they can take back to the classroom environment.

The partnership offers experiences and opportunities that allow children to explore their interests from an early age - and for some children give them a clear career trajectory within the sporting industry. This will help lift their aspirations and give them a sense of belonging which will result in better engagement in their education. 

 

The Wensum Trust Programme is managed by Ryan Oakes who coaches the Vikings and is also Head Coach at the UEA and Easton College. Other coaches delivering in Schools are a mix of the senior coaching group, Vikings players and Youth & Mini (Y & M) coaches. Two of our oaches have worked for Premiership side Leicester Tigers’ Junior Academy.

The Club has strong links with Leicester Tigers, the UEA, which offers bursaries to players studying there, and Easton College. 

“Our partnership with NWRFC enables our students to access high quality coaching, whilst providing an enjoyable experience that goes far beyond just playing rugby. The core values that the sport represents are all lifelong skills that we want for all our children. The bespoke programme provides a sense of belonging and a clear pathway for our students to progress onto rugby, whether they’re playing for fun or through an elite route with the club.”

Wensum Trust Secondary Strategic Lead, Tom Rolfe

"We cater for girls and boys of all abilities. Whilst we may unearth those who will eventually play at a high level, we're equally interested in those who will play purely for fun and become the bedrock of community clubs. Our coaches always remember rugby is about enjoyment and promoting the sports values - discipline, respect, sportsmanship and teamwork."

John Baines, Club Chair