The past week saw the Elite Insurance Schools Sevens tournament travel to Milton Keynes for the first time. Over 60 under-13s took part in the tournament at the start of the biggest year of rugby in Milton Keynes.
Sir Henry Floyd came out top at the Tournament. They will be joined at the finals day at Franklin’s Gardens by Ousedale School who came second.
Ian Gould, Director of Sport at Royal Latin School, believes that interest in Rugby has grown since StadiumMK was chosen to host World Cup and Premiership games.
“The boys enjoy tournaments like this put on by the Saints and Elite Insurance” he told SaintsTV. “We play in as many sevens tournaments as we can. They get the most out of playing sevens because it highlights all of the skills that they need. They train, but training isn't always fun unless you have a game at the end of it!
“Milton Keynes is sometimes seen as more of a football town but there is plenty of rugby around. Having the Saints coming to schools in the area has a big influence on the boys.
“With World Cup games being played in Milton Keynes and the Saints playing against Saracens there too, it’s really grown the interest in the sport of rugby at our school.
“Working with the Saints gives the boys a real sense that they could achieve something in rugby. Rugby seems to be a close knit family so the boys certainly gain a lot from working with the Saints.”
Dave Hurley, a teacher from Ousedale School, believes that tournaments put on by the Saints and Elite Insurance help to take youngsters rugby skills to the next level.
“The players have really enjoyed today.” Dave commented. “They get to play matches all day against good opposition. They’ve had to up their game as well. They are all good players but they’ve really been challenged today just playing at a high level against the other schools that are here.
“A number of our players go and watch the Saints anyway but to have the Saints play a game at Stadium MK is absolutely brilliant for them.”
One of the Saints’ Elite Sponsors, Elite Insurance is dedicated to supporting youth rugby in the Eastern Counties and East Midlands. The Elite Insurance Sevens Series gives Under-13 players the opportunity to play a new Olympic sport, with separate tournaments for clubs and schools.
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The Elite Insurance Sevens Series is the latest in the wide range of age group tournaments organised by Northampton Saints. Over the course of a season thousands of young rugby players in age groups ranging from Under-7s to Under-16s descend on Franklin’s Gardens on first team match days, with trophies and medals handed out on the main pitch during the half-time interval of that day’s Saints game.
