The Aspen/Validus School Rugby Championships Day will take place on Sunday May 6th 2012 at the North Fields of the National Sports Centre from 1pm to 5pm, and will include both Boys and Girls from six Primary Schools, four Middle Schools, and four Secondary Schools. Primary School competition will begin at 1pm, older students and championship games will take place between 3:30 and 5pm and will be followed by an awards ceremony.
All Bermuda School Rugby Champions will be crowned for the first time in a one-day event. The primary school teams will compete for the John L. Williams President’s Plaque for Boys and Girls. Middle school teams will be playing for the Aspen/Validus Bermuda Middle Schools Rugby Championship Plaque. Secondary school teams will be playing for the Aspen/Validus Bermuda High Schools Rugby Championship Plaque. A very special new MVP award, known as the Malcolm K. Outerbridge Jr. trophy, will be presented to an outstanding high school player. This award was sponsored by Fairmont Hotels and the Outerbridge family in honour of Malcolm K. Outerbridge Jr, a positive young man who tragically lost his life last year.
The Beyond Rugby Bermuda programme is a partnership between the Bermuda Rugby Union and Family Centre. It combines rugby with other social supports to help young people build positive futures while having fun and staying fit. The group offers daily homework support and a meal after practice to make it all work. “Practice sessions offer young people more than rugby skill,” says John Layfield, volunteer Beyond Rugby coach and former World Champion wrestler. “Our approach is to use the game and our time together to build loyalty to one another and redirect frustration and aggression through the shared values of discipline, teamwork and respect.” Mr. Layfield added, "We love to see young people become involved in the sport but the real joy is seeing kids who were sometimes from rival communities become a close knit group, working together and looking out for each other.”
In addition to support from founding sponsors Aspen Bermuda Limited and Validus Reinsurance Ltd, the event is being supported by Fairmont Hotels. Other considerations are being made possible through the generosity of The Bermuda Sports Network, Devonshire Recreation Club, Manny Faria of the Bermuda School Sports Federation, an anonymous sponsor who is providing t-shirts and TOPS Ltd. who have sponsored the event by agreeing to print all of the tickets, flyers and posters at no cost. The BRFU has donated medals for primary school matches and provided resources for media, security and a sports injury specialist.
The Rugby Championships event is also a fundraiser in support of the important work of Beyond Rugby Bermuda. Children can enter the games for free, adult tickets will be $10 and can be purchased at Fairmont Southampton, International Sports Shop, Family Centre, or at the Sports Centre on the day. Parking for up to 150 cars has been made available for a $5 fee that will be donated back to Beyond Rugby Bermuda’s cause. Aspen and Validus are inviting the public to join them in supporting this great cause. Every penny of your donation will go straight to the project and anyone can help by making a donation.
