Rugby Union: Merseyside Fire Service on the ball in rugby link

Sep 26 2007 by Alan Easel, Liverpool Daily Post

RUGBY union development work on Merseyside is to be dramatically enhanced by a partnership link with Merseyside Fire Brigade that will see firefighter rugby coaches supporting the existing work of the RFU professionals and volunteers in the region.

A coaching partnership involving the Rugby Football Union, Merseyside Fire Brigade and Sale Sharks is aimed at bringing more hands-on player development into schools in the region, with firefighters joining the programme.

“There has always been an empathy between rugby union and the fire service,” says Martin Jones, RFU rugby development officer for West Lancashire. “Both share the same ethos of teamwork, discipline and courage, so there is an obvious cultural association.

“Those links are also underlined by a traditionally strong involvement of firefighters in senior teams on Merseyside and nationwide and it is this social involvement that we will be expanding into the classroom.

“I’m very excited about this initiative because it should have benefits for both parties and if that proves to be the case, it may be that a wider tie-up with the fire brigade and possibly other emergency services can be looked at.”

In practical terms, 10 firefighter coaches will be part of the inaugural Merseyside project and they will be delivering a total of 40 hours school and community work each week for the next 12 months – 1,600 hours of extra tuition in schools and areas where additional support will be most beneficial.

First stage in that process will involve a group of Merseyside firefighters attending a day’s tag/start rugby coaching course with RFU development personnel on Friday week (October 5) at Sefton RFC, followed by the launch of the initiative at the Sale Sharks v Wasps game.

“I’m sure the link will be very productive for both parties,” said Dave Southern, RFU North West rugby development manager: “A number of firefighters have already volunteered to take part in the project and I’m sure they will do a good job.

“Interest in the game rises sharply during the Rugby World Cup and this initiative will help us satisfy the extra demand from schools and other areas. Sale Sharks have been excellent in terms of their support for our projects and we’re grateful that once again they have came on board to help us with the launch.”

Interaction in Liverpool between rugby and firefighters will reach international proportions in 12 month’s time when The World Firefighter Games to be held on Merseyside in August and September, with planning for that jamboree sparking the coaching idea.

The games will involve seven-a-side teams from all over the world gathering in Liverpool and being hosted by clubs to provide them with training and social facilities.

The Sevens tournaments will be held at Hoylake RFC (August 28, 2008) and Waterloo (August 30), while prior to those events, there will be a Beach Rugby Festival on Hoylake Beach on August 26, 2008.