Students from Years 7 and 9 took part in an in-house rugby festival and coaching session led by Leicester Tigers community coach Lottie Bozon.

Around 60 students participated in a number of drills during a lesson on the school’s newly established rugby pitch, with head of PE Dan Ward, headteacher John Hirst and coaching staff welcoming the Tigers community coach.

Also joining the session was Graham Woodcock, chairman of West Norfolk Rugby Union Football Club (RUFC), which has given a set of rugby posts to the school.

The donation is part of an initiative to build links between the club and local schools, including Smithdon High, with the aim of encouraging participation on the sport. 

Smithdon also has plans in place with West Norfolk RUFC to share facilities and coaches to help further develop opportunities for students to experience rugby both inside and outside of the curriculum.

Mr Ward said: “We are grateful to West Norfolk RUFC for the donation of the set of posts and we now have a full sized pitch on which to play on. 

“This has stimulated interest in rugby again at the school with encouraging numbers of boys and girls taking part in our after school rugby club. 

“We are excited by the opportunity to build in-club links with West Norfolk.”

He added: “It was also fantastic to make links with Leicester Tigers and their community coaching programme. 

“We have already had discussions to run further festivals based on the success of this first event.”

Mr Woodcock, chairman of West Norfolk RUFC said: “It’s great to see the posts up and feedback from the school is very positive with the number of students taking up the sport steadily growing. 

“We are keen to continue to foster links with local schools.”