The Community Department has long been a central and very active part of Northampton Saints, often being the first point of contact people in the surrounding counties have with the club.

In the past few weeks members of the Saints squad have been presenting End of Season awards at rugby clubs and making presentations at local schools. Paul Diggin handed out the awards at Old Northamptonians RFC on June 10th, and Phil Hoy and David Smith did likewise at St Ives RFC the previous day. Mark Hopley and Mark Robinson visited Weedon Lois and Titchmarsh Primary schools respectively to present Healthy Schools Initiative plaques.

Over 300 girl guides visited Franklin's Gardens at the end of May for a day of fun on the main pitch, followed by a good sing-song.

Finedon Mulsoe and Caroline Chisholm schools have also received guided tours of the stadium at Franklin's Gardens, the former as a prize for winning this season's Kick Smoking Into Touch competition, the latter as part of their Initiatives Week.

Having concentrated on Wellingborough schools in the past few months, the Kick Smoking Into Touch project is now visiting schools in the Kettering area, such as The Grange, Avondale, St Andrews, Highfields and Havlock Junior in Desborough. Work produced by the pupils at these schools will be printed in match-day programmes next season.

Students at Caroline Chisholm school have received coaching from Ross Stewart and Mattie Stewart, and Ross has also run tag rugby sessions at Sandy Upper School in Bedfordshire and Weedon Bec School.

If you are interested in being part of any of the schemes run by the Saints Community Department, call Sian Haynes on 01604 599113 or email her by clicking here.