Canterbury to provide Rochdale schools with student-designed rugby shirts

Callum Giblin, Ethan Poole, Jordan Parr from Siddal Moor Sports College

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Groups of pupils from Siddal Moor Sports College, Oulder Hill Community School and Language College, and St. Cuthbert’s Roman Catholic Business & Enterprise College have taken part in a workshop where they designed their school team’s rugby shirt, to be produced and donated by Canterbury, the official kit supplier to England Rugby and the Official Partner to All Schools.

The Canterbury kit design workshops are part of the All Schools programme which was launched in 2012 by the Rugby Football Union (RFU) in partnership with the Rugby Football Foundation. All Schools is a programme to help more state secondary school children play rugby and to encourage new players to join local clubs. From September 2014, 100 new schools have joined All Schools, of which the Rochdale schools are three. With this additional group on board, All Schools now has over 300 schools participating since the initiative was launched.

The Canterbury Kit Design workshops saw lucky pupils learn about the history, heritage, values and importance of the rugby shirt. One of Canterbury’s experienced designers talked pupils through the process of designing a shirt, as well as the key elements to consider when creating their own design - from thought process to practicability. Schools were given a unique opportunity to create a shirt to be worn by their school rugby team, which Canterbury will produce and supply free of charge. The third year of All Schools coincides with the RFU’s legacy plans for Rugby World Cup 2015, hosted by England.

Canterbury CEO, Chris Stephenson said: “We’re passionate about working together with the RFU on the All Schools project and are looking forward to supporting these new schools by providing kit and the unique opportunity to design their own team shirt. It’s been fantastic to see the impact rugby has had on the students taking part over the last two years and encouraging that the schools are building such strong club links.”

Siddal Moor Sports College, Oulder Hill Community School and Language College, and St. Cuthbert’s Roman Catholic Business & Enterprise College pupils took part in the Canterbury Kit Design workshop at Sale RFC on 16 October.

Stuart Lancaster, England Head Coach said: “The match shirt is a source of huge pride for the players. When they are presented with it before an international it is a very special moment for them and the whole squad. By teaching these pupils who are new to the game the core values of rugby union and the history of the shirt, I’m sure that these school teams will share the same passion for their own design.”

Schools that are new to rugby are identified in regional clusters and supported over three years with a tailored programme to meet the school’s individual needs, including links to a local club. By establishing relationships with rugby clubs it will help the school and club to retain more players and expand the game.