Rugby

Over 300 boys all of ages from the 1st XV to U12 level regularly enjoy playing rugby across 15 teams on a regular and balanced fixture list against some of the top rugby playing schools in the country. The boys have the opportunity to play in a number of regional and national competitions. 

There are opportunities to play rugby all year around starting with preseason training held in the first week of September. This helps teams to bond and provides invaluable training and match play before the start of the season. Rugby Sevens is played in the Spring term where we compete at competitions like the North of England Sevens and Rosslyn Park National Schools Sevens tournament. In the Summer Term, pupils can participate in additional coaching sessions and senior students can use the schools strength and conditioning facilities within their Games afternoon to prepare for the season ahead. In 2022/23 it was great to see all our teams enjoying success at one point or another. Our U14's reaching the Rosslyn Park Plate Final and our U15's reaching the semi final of the National Schools Cup Vase competition were particular highlights.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Throughout the year the diet of rugby is wide and varied at Dame Allan’s with rugby being offered in various forms - from full contact game to non contact touch rugby. Students have a timetabled Games afternoon in the Winter Term and are taught rugby in ability groups so the game is safe, fun and open to all abilities. Additional training sessions occur both at lunch time and after school in order to prepare for rugby competition. Fixtures are played traditionally within year group Games afternoons. However, Saturdays are our main fixture day with Fowberry Crescent fields often being a hive of activity. 

Our facilities include a full size senior pitch and a junior pitch. Additionally the school fitness suite is available to all for strength and conditioning work. Our excellent coaching staff includes a range of RFU level 3 coaches and this is supplemented with sessions from locally renowned club coaches as well as some coaches with national and international experience.

It isn't just the boys that are benefitting from the facilities and rugby coaching available however. In 2022, we pledged to increase participation among the girls and put an increased focus on scheduling fixtures throughout the academic year. Rugby is one of the country’s fastest growing female sports and the Schools’ sports department wants to give all senior school girls the opportunity to play rugby, either for fun or competitively, with ambitions to make rugby as popular with the girls as it is amongst the boys. In 2022 the Year 7 girls' team had its first competitive rugby fixture at Ponteland High School before going on to win the local Super Sevens tournament. Several girls higher up the school who play rugby at county level have welcomed its introduction.

Many of our students are chosen for representative programmes at County, Regional and Premiership Rugby Academies with the aspiration of winning professional contracts. Just as importantly many go on to play rugby at university, which can for the most talented athletes still lead to a career in professional sport. 

For further information about rugby at Dame Allan's, contact enquiries@dameallans.co.uk who will pass your enquiry onto the relevant member of staff.