Framlingham College Prep School has achieved national recognition and been presented with a once in a lifetime prize which will see them run out at Twickenham, the home of England Rugby, at the 2020 Quilter Kids First training day as an RFU Quilter Kids First Champion.
The school, who have a proud history, has successfully implemented the Quilter Kids First approach to create a fantastic rugby learning environment, ensuring every pupil has the opportunity to play rugby for the school at all levels. It has been an incredibly successful year so far, with a significant number of pupils representing the National Independent Schools’ Lambs U18 XV or being involved in the Northampton Saints Development Programme, whilst the U13 team remain unbeaten in all of their matches and claimed victory in the Northampton Saints & Redrow Homes 7s just a few weeks ago.
There is also a focus on increasing the numbers of girls playing rugby, with the school having an after-school girl’s rugby club which has proved very popular. The environment is focussed on rugby’s core values of teamwork, discipline, enjoyment, sportsmanship and respect. To recognise these values, children are awarded Quilter Kids First green laces.
Coaches have been upskilled to assist them in creating a positive and nurturing programme which is very much focussed on the individual. All coaches have access to Quilter Kids First coaching materials and are encouraged to attend RFU training courses. Sixth form pupils have qualified as referees and officiated in Prep School fixtures.
Nick Gandy, Director of Sport at Framlingham College said:
“We feel truly humbled and greatly privileged to be named as a Quilter Kids First Champion. The RFU’s core values and taking the Quilter Kids First pledge has enhanced and given real substance to the culture of rugby at Framlingham College Prep School. We are blessed to have a coaching staff who have embraced the Quilter Kids First values and whose creativity, enthusiasm and encouragement are engendering a life-long love of the game amongst our pupils.
“It is an absolute honour to see the wonderful sense of pride the children display when they receive their green laces and to spread the word further, we have also started to award them to opposition teams after matches. The importance of the Quilter Kids First values should be at the forefront of how we all (as clubs and schools) approach rugby and we look forward working closely with the RFU to encourage more clubs
and schools to commit in the future. There are some exciting developments in the pipeline as regards rugby at the College so watch this space!”
