THE lack of rugby in Oxford's upper schools is holding up the development of the sport in the city - with consquences for local clubs.

That's the view of Oxfordshire RFC's youth development officer Lynn Evans, who urges schools "to give rugby a chance".

Since 1994 Oxfordshire RFU and Oxford City Council co-operated together on a development programme to support the participation and growth of rugby in the city. This has been the responsibility of rugby liaison officer Richard Tyrrell.

"We have succeeded in establishing tag rugby as one of the major winter games in the Oxford Middle Schools," explained Evans.

"Tournaments have been arranged and well supported by the schools, and two trophies are played for at Under 11 and Under 13 age groups. Links are well established with the three city clubs of Littlemore, Harlequins and Oxford.

"It is on leaving the middle school that the development programme faces major problems.

"Only one upper school has rugby on its curricular programme. The major reason rugby is not included is a lack of specific expertise in teaching the game. "This is a problem if the teacher does not have rugby coaching knowledge.

"What is worrying is that upwards of 100 boys and girls have little or no chance of getting further instruction or opportunity to develop their rugby skills in school. The development programme in schools comes to a halt.

"I would venture that Oxford city has no rugby-playing state school at secondary level and this has a major impact on youth recruitment.

"Surely one of our major national games needs a chance to be played even for a limited time within the PE curriculum?

"The Oxfordshire youth development scheme supports schools in teaching rugby, but there has to be a desire for schools to wish to play.

"The alternative is already plain to see. Whereas once Oxford School (Southfield and City of Oxford), Peers and Headington supplied a steady stream of ready-made players, that reservoir is now empty."

Story date: Wednesday 17 February

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