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George Kruis lends his weight to 'Pitch Up For Rugby' campaign
“Get back to your local rugby club, enjoy some exercise and socialising with friends and family.”
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That is the message from England international George Kruis ahead of the second weekend of community rugby action in England, Wales and Scotland following the Covid-19 enforced 18-month break.
Last Saturday saw full contact action resume at most levels from English rugby’s third tier National One competition downwards including the women’s game plus junior age-groups.
And the sport’s governing bodies in England, Wales and Scotland have now joined forces to encourage players of all ages back to their local clubs.
In England, the RFU’s ‘Pitch Up For Rugby’ campaign aims to highlight the unique camaraderie and sense of community that rugby offers as well as demonstrating the physical and mental benefits of being part of a rugby club.
To this end, hundreds of clubs will host ‘Pitch Up’ events on September 11 and 12 as part of a national celebration of all formats of rugby returning. More details are available at englandrugby.com.
Men’s and women’s 15-a-side teams will be out in force at these events. There will also be Warrior Camps for women and girls and non-contact and modified contact rugby for new players and those coming back after a break.
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Barbecues, beer tents and music will also help to provide some of the fun that players and families have been missing.
England and British Lions lock Kruis began his rugby career with Dorking RFC and says those formative years created bonds which still remain.
“I have heaps of happy memories from those days which we still laugh about when we get back together,” he says.
“I was there a few weeks ago as they have just opened a superb gym and rehab facility which is a massive community success story.
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"We have spent a huge amount of time exploring potential options"
– Sale's existing AJ Bell tenancy agreement was due for renewal in July this yearhttps://t.co/jg3KGyFeBA
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) September 8, 2021
“I am very lucky to know (cricketer) Jason Roy from Dorking and (Sale prop) Jake Cooper-Woolley as well as another ex-pro Tom Bristow who has just completed the circle by going back there as a player-coach.”
The importance of getting community rugby restarted is underlined by a recent study commissioned by the England, Wales, and Scotland Rugby Unions with The National Lottery.
This found that 86 per cent of those involved in the grassroots game believe that playing and being involved in their local team or club has a positive impact on their mental health.
Mental health within professional sport is in recent times a much more openly discussed subject and the study suggests this has in turn helped those within sport’s grassroots.
More than a quarter of club players and volunteers (27 per cent) said that seeing rugby stars talk about how they feel has inspired them to open up themselves.
And it’s with their rugby community they feel most comfortable, with 53 per cent talking to teammates and club members rather than other friends or family about issues including relationship worries, job concerns, physical health and money worries.
ICYMI: "I still miss playing every day. I miss the 'craic' with the lads, being in the changing room and the competitive element of being in a high-performance environment"https://t.co/lPcpEqf8yS
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) September 6, 2021
Scottish Rugby have already launched their return to rugby campaign ‘Everyone’s Game’ which aims to increase participation while rugby in Wales will be similarly boosted by the WRU’s ‘Pathway to Participation’ programme which starts later in the autumn.
The National Lottery and its players, through the funding they generate every time they play, are supporting the return to community rugby across England, Scotland and Wales helping clubs rebuild after the pandemic.
Pitch Up for Rugby, England Rugby’s initiative to encourage a return to community rugby is supported by The National Lottery, which has provided funding to boost grassroots rugby union across England. Visit englandrugby.com to find out more.
Comments on RugbyPass
Quite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
10 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
3 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
1 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
10 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
10 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
3 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
3 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
10 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
44 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
10 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
10 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
10 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
10 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
10 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
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