Staff from the Bristol office of leading property advisers CBRE have carried out their first training day as part of the firm’s national commitment to supporting England Rugby’s ‘All Schools’ initiative. All Schools aims to increase the number of secondary state schools in England playing rugby union.
Having been put through their paces during a dedicated coaching and refereeing session at Portway Rugby Development Centre, CBRE’s Bristol office is now waiting to hear which local secondary school it will be working with over the rest of the year.
The project, which will see CBRE Bristol encourage pupils to start playing rugby and join local clubs, forms part of the firm’s overall responsibility as Principal Partner of All Schools and Official Supporter to England Rugby.
Chris Thomas, Senior Director at CBRE Bristol, commented: “We are delighted that CBRE is supporting All Schools and playing an important role in promoting the game to schools that haven’t traditionally played it. Bristol is a great rugby city and it is very encouraging that some of our local secondary state schools and rugby clubs are involved.
“The day was superbly organised by England Rugby and great fun. We look forward to working with their regional Coaches Neil Loader, Kei Bergh and Mike Panaho and local schools on this initiative, as well as the forthcoming Rugby Festival at Kingswood Rugby Club on the 29th April.”
Ciaran Bird, UK Managing Director, CBRE, said: “Like England Rugby, CBRE is committed to investing in the next generation and helping young people throughout the UK take part in positive and active engagement within the community. We recognise the importance of guiding young people at a grass roots level and installing discipline that can help set them up for the future, both on and off the sports field.”
Launched in September 2012 by England Rugby in partnership with the Rugby Football Foundation, All Schools is one of seven areas identified by England Rugby to deliver the greatest participation legacy for the game in the lead up to the 2015 World Cup and beyond. The aim is to have 400 schools enrolled nationwide by September’s World Cup and 750 schools by 2019.
