By SOPHIE QUINN
SA Rugby has introduced development programs in schools with the hope that they can help encourage new participants to take part in clubs regular rugby matches.
In South Australia AFL dominates the sports scene while rugby has been categorised as a niche sport often taking the ?back seat? in the media.
Development coordinator for SA Rugby Mark Dobson said the new Try Rugby program held at primary schools aims to encourage children to join the junior player pathway at a local club.
?SA Rugby is the Union that manages the South Australian competition for the 13 affiliated rugby clubs,? he said.
?Part of SA Rugby?s role is to assist clubs in encouraging new participants to take part in regular rugby?this is done through the delivery of development programs.?
The school program has been running for the last five weeks, visiting over 45 schools and exposing the game to 9,500 school children.
The development clinic is organised and run by 12 young rugby players from clubs around Adelaide.
Callum Walton, 18, currently plays for Burnside Rugby Club and recently joined the SA Rugby development team.
?A typical working day involves going to a primary school and playing rugby games with the children as well as teaching skills and setting up challenges,? he said.
?The best thing about the job is that I get to teach children about a sport I love and am very passionate about.?
The Try Rugby program targets primary school students from reception to year three.
?The long term goal is to grow player numbers at a club level in the Under 7?s, Under 8?s and Under 10?s age grades,? Mr Dobson said.
Various skills are practiced throughout each session including, passing, catching and running.
Coaches provide a service where they attempt to get children excited about rugby and open their eyes up to a sport they may not know much about.
?SA Rugby has run various development programs each year since the Rugby World Cup was hosted in Australia in 2003,? Mr Dobson said.
?To run these programs we receive funding from third parties such as Australian Rugby Union and the Office of Sport and Recreation.?
Primary school sport teacher Rowan Thomas from Caritas College in Port Augusta believes it would be a great idea for more schools to have programs like SA Rugby?s.
?If children were provided with the opportunity to learn and gain skills from accomplished players, they would relish the opportunity and develop a substantial interest,? he said.
?Children in SA have a small interest in rugby at the moment as AFL is the preferred sport in this state, it has always been favoured.?
For the moment, South Australia will continue to be dominated by the AFL; however, SA Rugby?s development programs will help rugby expand in the future.
Image by Flickr ? Wallace39
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