Australian Rugby Union launches 2013 Super Rugby Week

Australian Rugby Union has launched the 2013 Super Rugby Week encouraging students and schools to sign up now.

The Super Rugby Week program encourages school age children to try their hand and learn more about the game of Rugby.

As part of the TryRugby program, schools across Australia have the opportunity to host Super Rugby Week activities with teachers encouraged to incorporate a Rugby theme into their weekly curriculum.

The program coincides with the opening month of the 2013 Super Rugby season with each State’s Super Rugby Week taking place in the lead up to a key home match for their Super Rugby side.

Every school that signs up and takes part receives free Rugby equipment plus a list of ideas and Rugby-themed lesson plans for on and off the field to help integrate the program.

Adam Fletcher, Stage 2 Coordinator from the St. Andrew’s Primary School, Maryong in Western Sydney said both boys and girls enjoy participating in playing the modified games of Rugby, describing some of the ways in which the school has adopted the program.

“We have been involved in Super Rugby Week and Walla Rugby Week for the last few years,” Mr Fletcher said.

“We re-name our four normal house sport groups to those of Super Rugby teams and the whole school is invited down to the oval wearing their house colours.

“They all sit along the sidelines and cheer for the seniors who are playing in front of a huge crowd bigger than some Suburban grounds.

“We have been fortunate enough to develop a great working relationship with our Western Sydney Rugby Development officers.

“Our focus is on participation, fun and enjoyment for all children involved. We teach the children, especially those not involved in organised weekend sport, about good sportsmanship.

“Our kids know that the Wallabies wear gold and can name our state's emblem, the Waratah, thanks to the online lesson plans.”

Ryan Donnelly, PE Specialist from Mater Christi Catholic Primary School in Yangebup Western Australia, said registering for Super Rugby Week is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the game for kids.

“They love the Rugby games and activities that they participate in, and embrace the challenging skill set that they require,” Mr Donnelly said.

“It’s a great way to make sure we have a taste of the game they play in heaven, and as a bonus we get some cool resources.

“We even had the opportunity to take a group down to the (Western) Force Headquarters to meet with a couple of Wallabies last year and got a photo with David Pocock who was training.

“The kids adore exciting new games and activities where they have to run, dodge, weave, defend, pass and run some more.

“The strategic side of things and the decision making is also a highly prized facet of the game.”

Super Rugby Week is a great chance for students to get fit and have fun playing at least 40 minutes of touch Rugby.

The week-long program is the Super Rugby version of Walla Rugby Week, which is held in schools across the country during the Qantas Wallabies domestic Test season each year.

Last year Walla Rugby Week broke records with over 62,000 students from more than 370 schools in Australia registering for the program.

For more information and to register for Super Rugby Week Schools can visit the TryRugby website here.

DATES FOR SUPER RUGBY WEEK - STATE BY STATE