Sports students host nearly 300 local children for rugby megafest

The event saw three BGU alumni return to campus in their roles as teachers

Over 290 primary school children from 18 different schools across Lincolnshire took part in the annual Tag Rugby Megafest at Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU). This event, now in its seventh year, sees Sport undergraduates provide children with a fun-filled day of learning and playing rugby.

The festival is an opportunity for first and second-year BGU students studying sport to put theory into practice. During the morning, the children were taught basic rugby skills such as teamwork, social skills, catching and throwing, and the rules of the game.

In the afternoon, the children had a chance to join with other schools and put their newly acquired rugby skills into practice during a game. The match was led by BGU students and the children were awarded stickers for different skills they achieved during the day.

The festival provided a platform for the students to develop their teaching skills and offered an opportunity to support each other and learn from one another. Hollie Tawn, who is in her first year of studying Psychology and Sport said: "We really benefitted from having the support of the second-years who have done this before and were able to guide us during the day. It was really nice to have the opportunity to work with the children and express myself through sport activity."

Second-year Sport, Coaching & Physical Education student Jon Smith said it was quite eye-opening to return to the event a year later. He said: "It's a fun-filled day for the children, but it's also a really interesting experience for us as undergraduates. It was clear how much I've developed since this time last year and it just shows that all the practice and hard work pays off!"

What makes this year's festival unique is the return of three BGU alumni (below) who previously studied Sport and Education at the university and now work as teachers in three of the participating schools. Their return to campus serves as a reminder to current students of the exciting career opportunities that could be in store for them in the field of sports education.

BGU Sport Programme Leader Rafe Elliott said: "Our annual Tag Rugby Megafest provides an excellent opportunity for our students to develop their teaching and coaching skills and put theory into practice. It's also a great chance for the visiting children to learn new skills, have fun, and be active.

"For our first and second-year students, the festival represents a chance to put their academic knowledge into practical use and benefit from peer learning. For the participating children, the festival offers a fun-filled day of skill-building, social development and encouragement to get moving!"

After seven successful years, the event has become a highly anticipated fixture on the academic calendar for the participating children and BGU students alike, offering a unique opportunity to develop essential skills and knowledge in a fun, supportive environment.

Schools in attendance:

• Leslie Manser Primary School
  
• Fosse Way Academy
• St Giles Academy
• Saint Lawrence CofE Primary School
• Waddington All Saints Academy
• Birchwood Junior School
• North Scarle Primary School
• Gainsborough Parish Church Primary School
• Benjamin Adlard Primary School
• Westgate Academy
• Ermine Academy
• Ingham Primary School
• Potterhanworth CofE Primary School
• Saxilby CofE Primary School
• St Peter's CofE Primary Academy
• Scotter Primary School
• Charles Baines Community Primary School
• Frances Olive Anderson CofE Primary School