Sport

Tag Rugby tackles drugs and crime

11 September 2009

A ground-breaking sport development programme, aimed at steering youngsters away from drugs and crime, has been launched by the South African Rugby Union and the Tag Rugby Association, with members of the SA Police Service involved as coaches.

The Tackle Safety pilot project will introduce Tag Rugby to 24 000 learners at 40 schools on the Safe Schools Programme in the Western Cape. If successful, the initiative could be rolled out nationwide.

Tag Rugby is a high-paced, contact-free version of rugby, in which tackles are simulated by pulling velcro strips from belts worn by the players.

United Nations support

The project has the support of the United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime, the Western Cape provincial government, and the South African Police Service (SAPS).

"Forty community schools have signed up for the programme and will receive equipment and coaching," Johan Prinsloo, chief executive of the SA Rugby Union, said at the launch at Trafalgar High School in Cape Town's District Six on Wednesday.

"The learners at these schools face many challenges in their young lives, and sporting opportunities are seriously restricted," Prinsloo said. "This initiative offers them the opportunity to become active in sport and enjoy a lifestyle that's a challenge to the threat of drugs and crime."

The launch was attended by Western Cape education minister Donald Grant, cultural affairs and sport minister Sakkie Jenner, and provincial Police Commissioner Mzwandile Petros.

Police involvement

The training and deployment of police officers alongside Tag Rugby coaches forms an integral part of the programme.

"The programme is structured in such a way that it will allow for the building of a sense of trust between the children and police officers, building bridges between the community and the SAPS," said Stuart McConnell of the Tag Rugby Association. "The model has been used in the UK with great success, and we're hoping to achieve similar results in South AFrica.

"The programme is also unique in that we have three local government departments and the Safe Schools unit working together with SAPS on the Tackle Safety Programme."

The Choice for Life Organisation will deliver the accompanying anti-drugs and anti-crime message for the duration of the project.

Easy to play

Tag Rugby can be played on any surface and requires minimal equipment beyond the belts, tags and a ball. It can be played by players as young as five years old.

"The benefit of the game is that boys and girls of all ages can play in the game," McConnell said. "This is because there are no scrums, lineouts or kicking. Tag promotes running and passing, attacking and defending. One of the most important aspects of the game is for the children to have fun."

Tag Rugby has already introduced over 5 000 youngster to physical activity and a fun version of rugby at 60 schools in the province this year.

The Tackle Safety training programme begins at the 40 schools that have signed up for the Tackle Safety Project on 14 September and runs through to 11 December. Inter-school Tag Rugby matches will begin in January 2010.

Source: SA Rugby