School Pupils from all over Norfolk take part in the Norfolk Winter School Games Tag Rugby tournament at Diss Rugby Club. Norwich East Try to tag a player from West Norwich and Dereham Photograph Simon Parker

Photo gallery and results: Six Nations inspires youngsters at Norfolk Winter School Games

Kate Scotter Thursday, March 7, 2013
2:22 PM

Youngsters took inspiration from the Six Nations as they battled it out on the rugby pitch in day three of the Norfolk Winter School Games.

Some 272 pupils were in action at Diss Rugby Club today as part of the week-long event.

Throughout the day, 24 teams played tag rugby across six pitches, each representing their school sport partnership, in a bid to lift the winner’s trophy.

Parents, friends and family could been shouting and cheering from the sidelines as their sons and daughters weaved their way through the field, grabbed their opponents’ tags and scored tries.

Marie Reidie, one of the School Games organisers, said: “It’s fantastic for the children to be able to come here and play at an actual rugby club.

“RFU regional officers are here, talking to our leaders, and representatives from Leicester Tigers are here.

“This is fantastic grassroots rugby and shows people what we can do if we give the kids and schools the opportunity.”

Ed Hegarty, youth chair at Diss RFC, said: “This was a great opportunity for us to work with schools and for them to see what we do here.

“The kids are so focused and you can see there is a drive and enthusiasm from the current Six Nations.”

Today’s event saw a competition for large primary schools and another for small schools.

Schools which took part included Colman Junior in Norwich, Blofield Primary, Weeting Primary, Sheringham, Duchy of Lancaster, Filby Primary and Glebe House School in Hunstanton.

The schools had played qualifying matches within their school sport partnerships to play in the finals yesterday.

Connor Smith, 10, from Attleborough, who goes to Old Buckenham Primary School, said: “I do lots of sports so I’m used this but representing my school is a bit special.”

Shelley Skoyles, 36, from Caister-on-Sea, whose son Ellis Skoyles was playing for the East Norfolk School Sport Partnership, said: “It’s very exciting.

“There’s a great atmosphere, great weather, all the children seem so happy, it’s brilliant.”

Tag rugby was the fourth sport to be played in the county’s first ever Norfolk Winter School Games.

The event kicked off with skiing on Friday and youngsters played badminton and took part in cross country races on Monday.

Events still to come include sports hall athletics, swimming, table tennis and hockey.

The week will finish on Friday with a flagship day at the UEA Sportspark, attended by Paralympic silver medallist Mel Clarke.

The Sainsbury’s Norfolk School Games is sponsored by Active Norfolk, Norfolk School Sport Partnerships and the UEA Sportspark, with the Eastern Daily Press and BBC Radio Norfolk as media partners.

Follow all of the action everyday in your daily paper or on this website.

The winners: