Beyond Rugby To Celebrate Championship Day
Beyond Rugby Bermuda will hold a Rugby Championship event on Friday, March 28th, 2014. This programme combines rugby with other ways to support healthy youth development.
The Beyond Rugby programme helps young people to develop good character and succeed in school while having fun and staying fit. The group offers daily homework support and a meal after practice to make it all work.
Darren Woods, Family Centre Community Support Worker says, “The Beyond Rugby Program aims to help young people reach their full potential on and off the rugby field. Students learn how to show up at their best when things are going their way and when things aren’t going their way and that success comes through hard work. To support student success we aim to build a community of positive adults around them to help them improve their grades, make positive choices and open doors to different opportunities on and off the field.”
John Layfield, volunteer Beyond Rugby coach and former World Champion wrestler, added, “Our approach is to use the game and our time together to build loyalty to one another and redirect frustration and aggression through the shared values of discipline, teamwork and respect.” Beyond Rugby Bermuda is a partnership between the Bermuda Rugby Football Union and Family Centre.
The Aspen/Validus Rugby Championship Day will take place on Friday, March 28th at the National Sports Centre, North Field from 4pm-6pm and will include young people from the middle and secondary school levels.
Mr. James Few, CEO, Aspen Re said, “We are delighted to be associated with Beyond Rugby and would like to congratulate The Family Centre and Beyond Rugby Bermuda for their tremendous success with this important programme”.
Beyond Rugby achieves great results due to the partnership and resources that support young people. Family Centre organizes the support to young people and families and the Bermuda Rugby Football Union organizes the training and games. Key volunteers like John Layfield and Kelli Nusum from Validus dedicate their time to keep costs down and quality up.
Mr. Jeff Sangster, CFO, Validus Holdings commented, “Validus is proud to be a supporter of Beyond Rugby since the inception of the program. The 3rd Annual Beyond Rugby Championship will be another exciting event and we are thrilled to be participating.”
A spokesperson said, “The founding sponsors of this innovative programme are Aspen Bermuda Limited and Validus Reinsurance Ltd, who are inviting the public to join them in supporting this great cause.
“Bermuda School Rugby Champions will be crowned at this annual event. Middle school teams will be playing for the Aspen/Validus Bermuda Middle Schools Rugby Championship Plaque. Secondary school teams will be playing for the Aspen/Validus Bermuda High Schools Rugby Championship Plaque. A very special MVP award, known as the Malcolm K. Outerbridge Jr. trophy, will be presented to an outstanding high school player.
“This award was sponsored by Fairmont Hotels and the Outerbridge family in honour of Malcolm K. Outerbridge Jr, a positive young man who tragically lost his life.”
Shelley Meszoly, Regional Director of Sales & Marketing, Fairmont Bermuda said, “The Fairmont Southampton is thrilled to commit support again in 2014 to the Beyond Rugby programme and The Family Centre as part of the Fairmont Community Assistance and Responsibility to the Environment [CAREs] programme that embodies Fairmont’s promise to have a positive and sustainable impact in the communities where we do business.
“It is rewarding and encouraging to see how the Beyond Rugby programme has given so many of Bermuda’s youths a positive, sports outlet and we look forward to presenting the 3rd Annual Malcolm K. Outerbridge, Jr Memorial Trophy for the Most Valuable Player.”
Participating schools are Bermuda Institute, Sandys Middle School, Whitney Institute, Warwick Academy, Saltus, TN Tatem, Cedarbridge Academy and Berkeley Institute.
A great program for the kids, run by some amazing people who give up all kinds of their time to work with our youth. I look forward to seeing the kids perform on the championship day.