Introduction

The objective of Bletchley Rugby Club's Community Development Programme is to provide children in the Milton Keynes/North Bucks area with the opportunity to try the sport of Rugby Union.    By providing coaching in local schools, participating in local events, and bringing people new to rugby down to Manor Fields for "taster sessions", interest in the game will grow for the benefit of individuals, the community, and the club.

Community Development has grown from Bletchley's participation in the Active Sports Programme, a Sports England/Rugby Football Union (RFU) scheme which encourages clubs to create formal links with local groups, including schools.   In the 2002/03 and 2003/04 seasons, five sessions of coaching for Year 5 & 6 children were delivered at four Middle/Combined schools in Bletchley/Fenny Stratford, and a TAG Festival took place in April.   In December 2003 Bletchley completed the accreditation process to be considered a Safe, Effective & Child Friendly Club, but the club recognises that the award of the RFU Seal of Approval and the Sports England Clubmark  doesn't represent the end of the road.   For 2004/05 we formed a  Community Development Team, charged with taking the programme onto a higher level.    This means more activities, introducing rugby to more potential players!

The Community Development Team

Community Development Manager (CDM)	Community Development Officer (CDO)	Community Development Officer (CDO)	Community Development Officer (CDO)
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it	This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it	This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it	Vacancy
01908 660960	07899 921905	01908 503101 or 07879 623746	***

All coaches involved in the programme are RFU qualified, CRB-checked, and have been mini-TAG and First Aid trained.

The 2005/06 Programme The table of events below lists those completed/planned for June 2005-May 2006 (details for earlier events available here>>> )

Date	Event	Venue
Saturday 11 June 2005	West Bletchley Carnival Club Float Club Stand Rugby demonstration	Bletchley - Melrose Lane-RAFA Club-Tattenhoe Lane
Saturday 3 September 2005	Recruitment Day Club Stand in the MK shopping centre This event organised with the kind assistance of the Midsummer Place management	Midsummer Place (MK shopping centre)
Sunday 4 September 2005	Give Rugby A Try Day "Rugby Taster" session open to 5-16 year olds.	Manor Fields
Monday 3 October 2005	MK Schools Partnership (Re)Launch Community Development Programme display stand at this session for Milton Keynes comprehensive school head teachers and PE coordinators	Stantonbury Campus
Saturday 11 February 2006	Give Rugby A Try Day "Rugby Taster" session open to 14-16 year olds.	Manor Fields
Monday 27 February 2006	Year 8 Schools Festival Annual Year 8 Rugby Festival at Manor Fields in partnership with Milton Keynes Council Sports Development. Six local senior schools sent squads (Hazeley, Oakgrove, Ousedale, Shenley Brook End, St Pauls, & Stantonbury) and played contact rugby in a round robin format, a game lasting ten minutes. Trophy and medals presented by David Seymour, the Saracens Premiership flanker (organised as part of the Club Link Partnership)	Manor Fields
Friday 28 April 2006	Year 5/6 TAG Schools' TAG Festival The fourth annual TAG Rugby Festival for local Middle and Combined schools. Full report here>>>	Manor Fields
Thursday 18 May 2006	Milton Keynes Schools' TAG Finals Matches between the winners of the Bletchley, Milton Keynes & Olney Year 5/6 finals	Manor Fields

Bletchley are talking to several primary, middle, combined and comprehensive schools about rugby delivery during lesson time and in after-school clubs and have already done work at Hazeley and Walton High schools.

Bletchley Rugby Club welcomes proposals for further Community Development projects - Please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , Community Development Manager (01908 660960).

Funding/Sponsorship

Where possible, kit and equipment used for Community Development projects is funded by the club, and coaches give their time free of charge.   This isn't however always possible, so assistance with funding from sponsors or agencies is always appreciated.   If you believe you, your company, or your agency can help with this, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , Community Development Manager (01908 660960).

Community Development Sponsors: