Giving touch rugby a “try”: Prep Rugby Festival

On 1 October, Year 6 had the exciting opportunity to play in a touch rugby tournament at the Saracens’ StoneX stadium. Playing in mixed ability teams, every pupil gave touch rugby a try at this exciting venue.

Year 6 enjoyed a round robin tournament that tested their teamwork, adaptability and technical rugby know-how. Newer players were supported by their teammates to learn the sport and win together.

Berkhamsted Prep was joined at this event by the Milton Keynes Preparatory School, whose teams challenged our pupils to showcase their teamwork and adapt to new opponents. Pupils from Senior and Sixth also played a key role in the day, refereeing matches and encouraging every pupil to get involved.

One student expressed his enthusiasm about playing at the StoneX stadium:

“I’m playing on the home field of the Saracens, one of the best teams in the world!” he told us excitedly. “I was really hyped up this morning and I just really wanted to get through all the lessons really quickly so we could get to Saracens.”

Spirits were clearly high amongst pupils. Another shared how his team enjoyed the day:

“Everyone has been so excited,” he said. “Not many people get to do this [play at StoneX] and it’s just a really good opportunity for everyone to try [touch rugby].”

It was essential to the day that every pupil had an equal chance to get involved, regardless of their experience level.

“Even the people who don’t really know rugby or the Saracen stadium, they still thought it was a great opportunity,” one pupil shared. “Everyone is getting stuck in and enjoying it today.”

Another reflected, “we have a teammate who’s never played rugby before but she does a lot of netball.” “I find that she’s really developed a lot throughout the experience here,” adjusting to “getting the ball, running forward, stopping and then doing a proper rugby throw backwards.” As pupils watched their teammates adapt to rugby, it reinforced the value of being adventurous and trying out new things.

For some pupils, England’s recent Women’s World Cup win added extra excitement to the day.

“Ever since I was about five or six, I’ve wanted to be a professional rugby player at Saracens,” one pupil states. Inspired by Zoe Harrison, playing touch rugby at her icon’s home ground was an especially meaningful moment.

This was a fantastic opportunity for Year 6 to throw themselves into playing touch rugby at a thrilling new venue. Thank you to StoneX stadium for hosting our prep pupils and inspiring them to Aim High in their sport.