The first event in the Rotherham School Games’ 2022/23 calendar was Y5/6 Tag Rugby, which took place on Friday 7th October at Wickersley Partnership Trust’s hub site, Cranworth Road Sports Centre.
Over 30 schools entered the festival, which resulted in two separate competitions taking place on the day to determine which two schools would qualify for the South Yorkshire School Games in November.
The morning saw all schools compete in a group stage across eight different pitches, with some great tries scored and tags made. This format allowed all children to grow in confidence without the pressure of the knock out stage, which all teams were guaranteed to play in during the afternoon.
After lunch, schools competed in two rounds of 16, followed by quarter finals, semi-finals and eventually, two finals to determine who would progress on to the next round. There were some extremely close games in the knock out rounds, with the two finals contested by Bramley Sunnyside v Waverley Juniors (North section) and a local derby in the other, Rawmarsh Thorogate v Rawmarsh Sandhill (South section).
Both Bramley Sunnyside and Rawmarsh Sandhill were victorious in their respective finals and will both go on to represent Rotherham at the county competition in November.
Congratulations to both, but also a massive well done to all the 300 children who braved the wet and windy conditions and represented their school throughout the day.
Mr Walker, School Games Organiser for the borough, said: “I was blown away by the response when I sent out for entries – I originally planned for 20 schools based on the 16 we had last year, but to have 31 schools attend on the day and over 300 children participating really shows how invested our local primary schools are in PE & School Sport. Thank you to all for making it a memorable day.”
Alongside the PE Team from Wickersley Partnership Trust, the event was supported by the Post 16 Rugby scholars from Wath Academy and the Rotherham Titans Community Trust, who provided staff and a giant rugby inflatable on the day.
Mr Walker added: “To have a number of local key partners working together on the festival embodied the ethos of the School Games – linking together to ensure all children have access, opportunity and role models in the different sports and events we offer throughout the academic year is a priority moving forward.
“Thank you to Wath Academy and Titans Community Trust for their support on the day.”
Mr Roddison, Headteacher of Rawmarsh Sandhill, said: “’The Tag Rugby Festival was an excellent experience for all the children involved and it was an encouraging to see so many local schools take part and the children having so much fun. A big thanks to all the School Games and Rotherham Titans’ staff for their organisation and guidance. We will aim to do Rotherham proud in the South Yorkshire stage!”
Ben Barlow, PE Specialist from Bramley Sunnyside commented: “It was great to see so many schools back together competing, with such a high standard of Tag Rugby on display. We are looking forwarding to having a full sporting schedule back this year”.
For more information regarding the national School Games programme, please visit www.yourschoolgames.com.
If your school is within the borough but not yet engaged in School Games, please email rotherhamcompetitions@gmail.com to find out more.
