For the past 7 weeks, RFCB and BRS sponsored a one-hour long after school program at International School Basel in Aesch. Current BRS coaches David Borrowman, Andy Stewart and Bill Kingdom (Super Sub) along with current RFCB player Steve Bisset taught rugby skills to kids aged 5 to 11 (EC3 to G5). The BRS graciously supplied brand new balls for the sessions.
The Friday afternoon sessions covered catch and pass, evasion and rugby fitness. 22 children registered for the course with an average of about 18 attending weekly. The sessions were held on the all-weather pitch at the Junior School playground which is a popular hang-out for parents and kids after school. Often, 5 or more parents would be observing the training and the course gathered 4 new kids after it started just from kids watching though the fence and wanting to get involved.
Usually after-school programs are limited to a set number who sign up at the beginning of the term, but the coaches convinced the school to have a "no one turned away" policy which allowed the session to be open to any child interested in participating.
The program was well-received by parents, kids and ISB administration. ISB rugby is already on the calendar for Fall 25. Unfortunately the only open day for the pitch is Thursdays, a tough day for RFCB, so the program will be looking for willing coaches who can participate from 3:30-4:30 on Thursdays. For more information contact David Borrowman through the BRS Coaching Team WhatsApp chat.