Former Qantas Wallabies and NSW Waratah team mates, Benn Robinson and Dean Mumm, today visited Lane Cove Public School to help promote what is shaping up to be a record breaking 2011 Qantas Walla Rugby Week.
Almost 25,000 students are registered to take part in the third annual Walla Rugby Week event – almost 4,000 more than last year, which will be held between Monday 12 and Friday 16 September as the Qantas Wallabies prepare to take on Ireland in their quest to become the number one Rugby team in the world.
The Walla Rugby Week program is run through schools across Australia and aims to introduce all students to the healthy enjoyable option of non-impact Rugby through a fun, innovative & rewarding program.
Lane Cove Public School Principal, Gemma Ackroyd, said the school was pleased to be participating in its second Walla Rugby Week in three years.
“Lane Cove Public School was part of the first Walla Rugby Week in 2009 and we are looking forward to being part of the Walla Rugby Week program again in 2011,” Ms Ackroyd said.
“There is a lot of excitement about the Wallabies journey to New Zealand and being able to support the team while at the same time have students enjoying some healthy Rugby activities is great.
“It was fantastic to have Benn Robinson and Dean Mumm at the school today to talk to the kids about Walla Rugby Week and explain why it was important for them to exercise and stay healthy.”
Every school that registers for the 2011 Qantas Walla Rugby Week will receive free Rugby equipment along with lesson plans for teachers, which means schools will have all they need to run fun, educational programs and get students active with modified Rugby games.
Former Qantas Wallabies and Waratah forward, Benn Robinson, said he was excited by the amount of students registered to participate in the 2011 Qantas Walla Rugby Week program.
“I was quite surprised to find out there is nearly 25,000 students registered to take part in Walla Rugby Week activities this year,” Robinson said.
“Having so many kids participating in modified Rugby games and supporting the Qantas Wallabies while they’re over in the New Zealand is just fantastic.
“There is just over week left for schools to register to participate so I encourage any schools that haven’t put their hand up to support the Qantas Wallabies or take part in the 2011 Qantas Walla Rugby Week to do so.”
Robinson’s Waratahs team mate and former Wallabies lock, Dean Mumm, echoed his team mates call for schools to sign up before it was too late.
“Qantas Walla Rugby Week is a great way of getting kids active and supporting the Qantas Wallabies,” Mumm said.
“I would encourage any school that is yet to sign up for Qantas Walla Rugby Week to do so.”
Schools can still register to take part in the 2011 Qantas Walla Rugby Week by visiting www.rugby.com.au/tryRugby - registrations close Wednesday 7 September.
Walla Rugby week began in 2009 with more than 15,000 school students taking part across Australia and in its second year that number grew to nearly 21,000 students across more than 170 schools.
As with previous years there will be great prizes are on offer for participating schools, including Panasonic gear and Qantas Wallabies school visits.
Prizes on offer in 2011 include*:
• First Prize: A Qantas Wallaby player visit to the winning school, a Signed Qantas Wallabies Jersey, Panasonic Projector PT-LB2 (Valued at $965), Panasonic Camcorder SDR-S71GN-K (valued at $300), 8GB SD Card (Valued at $99.95), Rugby fitness pack.
• Second Prize: A Panasonic Projector PT-LB2 (valued at $965), a signed Qantas Wallabies Jersey; Panasonic Camera DMC-FT3 (valued at $599), Rugby fitness Pack.
• Third Prize: A signed Qantas Wallabies Ball, Panasonic Rugged Camera/Camcorder DMC-FT3 (valued at $599), a 4GB SD Card (valued at $49.95).
• Fourth Prize: A Panasonic MultiMedia Camera HM-TA2GN (valued at $249), a 4GB SD Card (valued at $49.95).
• Fifth Prize: A Panasonic MultiMedia Camera HM-TA2GN (valued at $249), a 4GB SD Card (valued at $49.95).
In addition, schools will earn FREE Rugby equipment for taking part in Qantas Walla Rugby Week and participating in at least 40 minutes of modified rugby games.
Lesson plans and ideas will be provided to teachers, and combined with the equipment, schools will have everything they need to run the program and get their students active with Rugby games.
For more information on Qantas Walla Rugby week in 2011 visit www.rugby.com.au/tryRugby or call (02) 9323 3454.
*Terms and Conditions are available from www.rugby.com.au/tryrugby
