Community rugby tackles sectarianism

Project encourages friendships between pupils from the different schools

Rugby players from our secondary schools have taken part in a Community Youth Rugby Festival aimed at tackling the issue of sectarianism, promoting a healthy lifestyle, crime diversion, social development and providing the opportunity to take part in SRU (Scottish Rugby Union) apprenticeships.

The rugby festival included youngsters aged between 15 and 17 years playing in school teams where pupils from different schools and religious backgrounds play along side one another.

And Scottish Internationalist and Glasgow Warriors Captain Alastair Kellock was on hand to support and encourage the players during the event.

The Community Youth Rugby development initiative which culminated in the rugby festival is organised by the Healthy Lifestyle project based at Coatbridge High School. The initiative involves partnerships with the local rugby club Waysiders/Drumpellier RFC, the Sense Over Sectarianism campaign and is supported by North Lanarkshire Council and North Lanarkshire Leisure.

Councillor Jim Logue, added: "As Convener for Learning and Leisure for North Lanarkshire Council I am keen to support young people who take part in sports and in particular sports that rely on teamwork. Rugby is a game that requires players of all physical builds and abilities which makes it a wonderful, socially inclusive sport."

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