By Chris Wearmouth 
Rugby and Reading has been expanding rapidly during the 2019/20 season with schools in Coventry, Warwickshire and Birmingham signing up for two-hour sessions each week.
Rugby and Reading – which is sponsored by Charter Savings Bank and supported by other charities via the Coventry Rugby Foundation – sees students receive an hour of help with their reading before getting active with an hour of rugby fun and games.
Paul Whitlock, Charter Savings Bank’s Group Managing Director said, ‘When we heard about the programmes the club has in place, encouraging learning through sport, we were thrilled to get on board and support them. We look forward to seeing the programmes grow so that more children can benefit.’
Between them, 11 of the club’s players and Community Coaches are delivering more than 100 hours per month, with eight new schools signing up for the new year alone.
“Rugby and Reading is an enjoyable programme to deliver in schools, which is why we’re really happy that more schools are signing up for sessions,” says Hal Sparke, Coventry Rugby Foundation’s Manager.
“We’re committed to putting the club at the heart of the city’s strategy for health and wellbeing and having programmes which include both sport and classroom sessions are important. The expansion also reflects the effort being put in by our Community team to engage with more schools across the city – it is hard work but is starting to pay off.”
Rugby and Reading is part of Coventry Rugby’s renewed commitment to using the power of rugby to benefit all of the city’s community, with other programmes including Rugby in Schools, Project:500, Wheelchair Rugby and making the new artificial pitch at Butts Park available for age group tag rugby tournaments and schools training.
To find out more email community@coventryrugby.co.uk
Charter Savings Bank is also supporting the club to deliver a Matchday Experience to 40 disadvantaged children at this Saturday’s home match against London Scottish, who will enjoy a tour of the stadium, receive pre-match coaching and a Q&A with players, before getting behind the Coventry Rugby team for the game itself.
