ARMY 7s FINALS CONFIRMED
The RFU has confirmed that Stourbridge will again host the West Midlands Finals of the Army 7s inter schools competition on Thursday 22nd October.
It is the culmination of a series of regional tournaments held in Worcestershire, The Black Country, Warwickshire, Staffordshire, Shropshire and Greater Birmingham for boys and girls teams at Under 16 level. in 2008 more than 1000 students took part with Worcestershire's Chase High school winning the boys finals and Shropshire's Charlton School winning the girls.
Stourbridge's Chairman for Mini & Juniors, Jim Thompson, who's committee directs the Club's rugby development programme, is delighted that Stourton Park will host the event again. "We are all desperately keen to see more young people playing the sport and enjoying it into adulthood. As the North Midlands leading community rugby club and one of the top clubs in the country, it is absolutely right that we stage events like this," he says.
"It is also a tribute to all of our volunteer groundstaff who put an enormous amount of unseen work in to keeping our playing surfaces in tip top condition. Stourbridge has magnificent facilities that we should appreciate and be very proud of."
Stourbridge takes a leading role in the Dudley & Sandwell Rugby Development Group and together with Dudley Kingswinford and Old Halesonians helps to co-fund a full time RFU Community Rugby Coach.
"Our work in local schools grows year on year," adds Jim, "and I am confident that before too long a Stourbridge school will be winning events like the Army 7s. The Dudley LEA is very supportive of rugby development and Adam Blackford, the Community Rugby Coach is working hard to increase the number of schools offering the sport in curriculum time. Encouraging more young people to play the sport in the U16 and Colts age groups will be good for them and good for the Club."
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