InContext July 2006
The e-newsletter for information, records and content management professionals
TOWER Software Sponsors “Fair Play Trophy” in the Daily Telegraph Emerging Schools Rugby Festival 2006
In a blatent attempt to win a trophy that was unobtainable in his youth, Tony Sumpster, TOWER Software's EMEA MD, tries to pass himself off as a teenager to enter the Daily Telegraph's Emerging Schools Rugby. No prizes for spotting him in the group photo...
TOWER Software is scrumming down for a season of team work and good behaviour by sponsoring the “Fair Play Trophy” in the Daily Telegraph emerging Schools Rugby Festival 2006. More than 100 tournaments are currently being played across England including regional finals held to determine the trophy winners at each event. Designed to encourage the male and female participants to play the game within the spirit of the laws, the trophy is presented at each event by a member of the TOWER Software team.
Tony Sumpster, Managing Director at TOWER Software explained, "We are delighted to be involved with such an inspirational initiative. Over 2,500 teams took part in this - the world’s largest youth rugby event last year, and 2006 is set to offer even more young people the opportunity to expand their learning experiences. It all culminates with a thrilling Twickenham final in front of a 45,000-strong crowd that’s sure to inspire England’s youth players.”
The History of the Festival
The project originated in 1996 and for the first 2 seasons, it was a Southern Region festival of rugby for emerging schools. Organised by a combination of the Royal Navy Rugby Union and the Rugby Football Union, it is sponsored by DFDS Transport Limited. The event rapidly gained a reputation for being both well organised and popular; therefore, the RFU became keen to expand its appeal. In 1998 it was decided to evolve to a national project and with the addition of The Daily Telegraph, the National Under 12s Rugby Festival was borne. This was soon followed in 2001 with the introduction of the Under 13’s level and this season we will see the launch of the first Under 14’s National Girls Festival which will run in conjunction with the boys events.
The late Minister for Sport, Mr Tony Banks and His Royal Highness The Duke of York attended the public launch in October 1998 and from there tumbled a large and elaborate project which, by the end of the season, involved nearly 1000 schools and over 10,000 children from around the country. After qualifying from each county, schools took part in 12 Regional Festivals organised by the RFU network of Youth Development Officers and Team Leaders, using the framework developed by the Festival’s organising committee.
The finals were held at Staines RFC on 24th April 1999 – 48 qualifying schools from around the country took part in a thrilling morning of rugby and the last 8 teams were taken to Twickenham to play out the quarter and semi-finals prior to the main event of the day, the Army vs Navy game. At half time of the main event, the Under 12s arrived on the field to play their own final in front of a crowd of nearly 30,000 rugby enthusiasts, including HRH The Duke of York. HRH attended specifically to support the youngsters and spent the whole day with them. We received many accolades for this year’s first National event. In particular from the RFU who now regard it as their “Jewel in the Crown” project for the under 12s level of emerging rugby. Only schools that do not regularly play, or have never played rugby are eligible to enter – this truly represents a significant impact on grass-roots rugby throughout England.
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