GRFC and Falkirk Council announce Cash Back Camp for Kids

Grangemouth Stags Rugby Football Club have announced that following the tremendous success of their ‘Cash back for Communities’ Street Rugby programme, they are to run a week long programme at Glensburgh Park, Grangemouth to attract boys and girls to the sport and keep them active throughout the October Holidays.

The Cash back scheme recuperates money from prosecuted criminals that can be seized back under new legislation. This cash is then ring fenced  to be put back in to Scottish local communities with local institutions and clubs able to bid for the cash to run worthy projects that contribute to their neighbourhood.

The Grangemouth Stags and Falkirk Council were the first rugby club and council partnership to successfully bid for a portion of this cash in Scotland. Loosely based on midnight league football, ‘Street Rugby’ became a pilot scheme that numerous other councils and rugby clubs watched closely to see how they could combine rugby development and coaching with developing the local community at the same time.

The Scottish Rugby Union declared it a resounding success, and since then ‘Street rugby’ has sprung up in a number of other areas around Scotland. At the Grangemouth Stags/Falkirk Council official launch in March 2009, the evening was attended by a number of local prominent figures including Fraser Ewing SNP (MSP), Falkirk Provost Pat Reid, Robbie McGregor (Head of Community policing, Central Scotland Police) Kenny Rogers (Falkirk Community Fire Officer) and Neil Carrie (Head of Community Rugby with Scottish Rugby Union) along with professional rugby players from Edinburgh Rugby. Numbers were initially slow as word spread that there was this opportunity to take part, but now the Stags and council regularly attract 100 children from all around the Falkirk area to Grangemouth High School to play the game.

As well as getting the chance to learn the basics of rugby, the children aged between 10 & 19 years of age get a t-shirt for participating, and water and fruit to try and educate them on a healthy lifestyle without preaching. The fresh produce will be provided by ASDA for the duration of the Grangemouth Stags camp, who have also realised the potential that such community projects can have on the local youths, and are delighted to back such an initiative. Numbers have continued to grow as word has spread, and children return week after week for the experience and to use the fantastic new school facilities and astro turf. This way, no matter what the weather the children can remain clean and safe underfoot as the Scottish weather closes in. The sessions are run by experienced Grangemouth Stags coaches, and ably supported by the Falkirk Council Rugby Development officer, Andy Douglas.

The latest plans are to develop the once a week sessions in to a 4 day long  ‘camp’ spanning the Falkirk schools October Holidays. The long term aim of both Grangemouth Stags Rugby Club and Falkirk council is that many of these children will catch the rugby bug and join their local club continuing to play the game as a youth and adult. However, the short term goals are equally as worthy as the children stay busy and entertained throughout the holidays, using their time constructively and being active. This programme also helps to combat anti-social behaviour and to instil a sense of community in those who attend.

The programme is targeted at both boys and girls with transportation supplied. Those staying near Grangemouth High school will be picked up by bus for free and dropped off again at the end of the day. The programme will run for 4 days (12th - 15th October) from 10am to 4pm, with pro players once again from Edinburgh Rugby being on hand to meet and coach the kids. Further information can be found by contacting Davie Angus on 07811 102548 or by looking at Grangemouth Stags official website- www.grangemouthrfc.co.uk

It is very much hoped that this week long camp is the start of things to come with Christmas and Easter camps based on the same lines already in the pipe line to supplement the once a week sessions.