Everyone's a winner in new junior rugby tournament (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Everyone's a winner in new junior rugby tournament

FARMOR'S School in Fairford, Fairford RFC, Deer Park School, Cirencester RFC and Kingshill School are among a number of Gloucestershire schools and clubs that will benefit from a new junior rugby cup.

The development of schools' rugby in Gloucestershire has been given a massive boost with the creation of the Schools@rugbyclubs U14s Cup.

The Rugby Football Union, in conjunction with clubs from the region, have created this new competition in a bid to foster better links between clubs and schools and develop youth talent.

The competition is intended for schools which do not have an extensive fixture list.

A dozen schools from the region have already signed up for the tournament which will kick-off at the start of the new academic year.

Each school has been designated a Gloucestershire club where they will play all their home games.

The clubs can also help with coaching, the use of playing kits, training equipment and post-match hospitality.

The 12 teams will be divided into four pools and will play home and away with the aggregate score being the deciding factor.

Pool winners will progress into the cup semi-finals, the runners'-up into the Plate semi-finals and the third placed teams playing off in the Shield semi-finals.

All teams will receive Gilbert rugby equipment from the main sponsor, Nationwide Recruitment.

"Although the competition has been organised to coincide with the Gloucestershire Schools Centenary Season, it is hoped that its success will encourage involvement in subsequent years," said RFU rugby development officer for Glo'shire, Gary Townsend.

"The idea behind the scheme is to enable schools which do not have a strong rugby tradition a realistic chance of winning or gaining recognition for their efforts through a reward scheme, thus encouraging them to participate again.

"It also acts as a catalyst for stronger links between local clubs and schools, which will hopefully guide young players towards club rugby.

"The participating schools will receive equipment on a sliding scale from £400 to £50, dependent on their success in the competition.

"With an investment of £1,800 from the sponsor and an investment of time and effort from the schools, clubs and players, it is one of the few competitions where everyone wins."