RUGBY: Wasps and Harris join forces

There was a buzz in the air on Friday when Harris CofE Academy officially became a partner school to Wasps Rugby Club. Wasps’ Community Team, headed by Neal Coupland and Wasps Ambassador and former England player Paul Sackey, took assembly at the school before a Q&A session. Some 25 lucky Harris students then enjoyed a coaching masterclass.

A plaque was presented to Harris Sports Ambassadors: Euan Mitchell, Nicole Williams, Toby Wallace, Mia Winterburn, Harry Goldthorpe, Joshua Smith, Oscar Farmer, Nytalia-Mai Walls, and Catherine Cleaver.

The link was created following several successful projects with Wasps, including coaching programmes, tag rugby festivals, tickets for students and opportunities for students to become mascots and match day announcers.

Ian Smart, Partnership Development Manager for the School Sports Partnership, said: “Linking with Wasps in this way will not only mean a number of exciting opportunities for Harris CofE Academy, but will also mean increasing opportunities for our linked primary schools.

“We have an extensive programme with Wasps planned and we are really excited about the future development of rugby and school sport in general in Rugby schools.”

Wasps’ Neal Coupland, added: “It is a really exciting time for Wasps Rugby Club, moving to the Ricoh and performing well in the league.

“Key to our ongoing growth as a club is our community development and work with schools. We have been really impressed with Harris as a school and the work of the School Sports Partnership, developing rugby and sport not only at Harris but in the local primary schools too.

“There will be many more opportunities created for young people in the local area off of the back of this partnership.”

To find out more about Wasps, Harris CofE Academy and School Sports Partnership, please visit their websites or find them on Twitter & Facebook.