Lottery grant backing rugby

The Awards for All grant of £4,290 will enable tag rugby to be introduced at Sport Martley and the Hill Centre, Upton-upon-Severn.

"It's a game that can be played anywhere, by anyone of any age or ability," said Gary Tolley, who is one of the volunteers running the scheme.

"Players wear a special belt with a tag, which is ripped off to simulate a tackle. It's a safe way to teach the game and for children to learn evasion, running and communication skills, without any contact.

"A lot of schools see it as a great way to teach team building and leadership skills."

The club began by introducing the game into primary schools in the Malvern area, but failed to win Lottery funding last year.

"We are all volunteers holding down full-time jobs and we were finding it very difficult to go out during school hours," said Mr Tolley.

Now the emphasis will be on community development programmes, with the help of the managers at the sports centres in Martley and Upton and the Malvern Hills sports development officer, Simon Rusling.

"Children and older people from the rural areas will be able to play at these centres, where referees and coaches can be trained,"said Mr Tolley.

"The North Midlands Rugby Football Union will make tutors available and students from University College Worcester will help out as coaches at after-school clubs. We could go along later in the evening."

The Lottery money will also enable the youth section of the Malvern club to develop a district section for players who are not quite of county standard, but would like to represent their district.

"When we ran a couple of schools teams in Worcestershire Youth Games the commitment from the children selected was fantastic," said Mr Tolley.

Anyone interested in helping with the Tag rugby project, as a player, coach, referee or administrator, can call him on 0771 049 3468. Or call Simon Rusling on 01684 862283.