Youth Rugby Partnership - the SLM Blues

St Leonards launched a community youth rugby partnership, working with a local state secondary school and rugby club, in August 2017. The combined rugby teams, known as the St Leonards-Madras (SLM) Blues, benefit from shared training facilities and coaching through St Leonards School and Madras Rugby Club in St Andrews.

SLM Blues teams train and compete from the Under 9s up to the Under 18s, with the top teams performing to a high level in the Grandis Conference.

In 2019, the partnership was further boosted by the creation of a new role for a North-East Fife Rugby Development Officer, whose role it is to encourage participation in the game amongst boys and girls at local primary and secondary schools. The position is jointly funded by St Leonards School, Madras Rugby Club, the University of St Andrews and the Scottish Rugby Union.

Aims

To provide rugby training and fixtures to young people in and around St Andrews, through a community partnership between St Leonards School and Madras Rugby Club. To open doors to the sport and widen access to expert coaching and facilities.

Background

The SLM Blues community youth rugby partnership was formed to boost engagement and participation from young people in the St Andrews community, to widen access to the game, and to share coaching resources and facilities.

Resources

Rugby coaches, parent volunteers and transport to and from fixtures are provided jointly by St Leonards School and Madras Rugby Club. St Leonards grass pitches are opened up to all young people training with the SLM Blues squads.

Impact

Since its creation, the SLM Blues youth rugby partnership has encouraged increased participation in the sport, by opening up doors, coaching and facilities to all young people in the community. The combined teams continue to go from strength to strength, with the U18s winning the Caledonia Shield in 2019 and achieving great success in the Grandis Conference series and the Scottish Schools Cup.

Pupil Involvement

Rugby coaching is available to school pupils aged between 7 and 18 through the SLM Blues partnership.

Frequency

Training is held on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons at St Leonards School and Madras Rugby Club in St Andrews, during school term time. Fixtures are played on Saturdays, with additional training sessions provided at the weekend if no matches are scheduled.