The dawn broke, the Viking awoke, a date with destiny laid in wait at the Hallowed Fields of Ching. For this would be the day when a Dream that became a Vision became the Ultimate reality. For today would see the very first Tag Rugby Challenge held at the home of Rugby in E4, Chingford RFC.
Being in an Awe inspired mood the Viking would test the very fabric of his being. The cones were now laid out with proper in-goal areas, tag belts all arranged and two pitches of pure Nordic quality awaiting the arrival of the New Generation of Rugby Player from the schools from whence I coach.
We would have Representatives from Years 3 & 4 alongside Years 5 & 6 from Yardley Lane & Mission Grove Primary.
Upon arrival the sun would break through the clouds and blaze a trail of brightness that would light up 250 metres of lush greenery. The most perfect rugby sight on a gloriously sunny day, the Fields of Dreams, a vision to behold.
With help from young Coach Bobbie, we would gather our young warriors and introduce them to the Wonderful World of Viking rugby. For this morning would not just be about winning but having loads of fun learning new skills whilst at the same time matching up with another school.
There is no Rugby played between Primary Schools at this time in our Great Borough and I, the Viking of Extraordinary Suntanning proportions, am looking to change the Sporting landscape, and thanks to the schools that attended today’s Tag Challenge we have taken the first small step on the path to Future Rugby Glory!
In order to prepare our young players I would be required to deliver a Coaching session of intensity that would test all of their Rugby know how and stretch their very make-up. How would they respond? I will tell you! Their skills in passing and catching blew me away. This was awesome stuff to watch, every one of them watching the ball into the hands, soft passes aimed at their friends hands and awaiting the next. When working up and down the course in pairs there was no let up, it was warm just watching but the heat didn’t faze any one of our young legends as they got stuck into every challenge laid before them.
By the time we approached some Two versus One and a refresh of Game rules they were ready for a quick matchup. School on school Rugby netball. This would show the watching masses if they could put it all together under pressure.
The pitches set, they began and with some fantastic passing and support set the standard for the three thirds of Match Tag Rugby we had in store.
After a well earned energy replenishment and hydration break the teams would assemble and under the Guidance of the Coaching team listened intently for what was about to behold. For now the time was upon us and to the Victor would go the spoils.
The match would be divided into three equal parts and the first whistle signalled the beginning of what would go down in Waltham Forest Rugby Folklore for the Tag challenge had begun.
Two pitches on the go at the same time, both showing the standards already set from early in the session. All four teams making some great passes and catches. The support play and defensive discipline was a joy to watch.
Both games did not show a clear winner after the first third. All teams giving it their all and playing just the way the Viking likes it with smiles on their faces as wide as the Ching!! By the end of the second third all four teams had scored some great tries, some with outstanding pace, others with some great hands and teamwork.
We would now arrive in the final third of our games with all still to play for. For who would know that the last third would produce the best rugby of the morning. More tags than a Next sale, more passes than TFL and still there was no way through. The games would go right down to the wire, so much so that the older ages could only be separated by extra time. The youngsters found a way to give the watching populous exactly what they had come to watch, The Greatest game and would not be disappointed by the result. The winner . . . Rugby, who . . . VIKING RUGBY!!!
So, all that leaves me to say is many thanks to the schools who made today such a special day for myself as I have dreamed of having my own rugby tournament and thanks to you a dream became the reality and the end result showed just how much fun we all had.
As I sit here now pondering the mornings fun, albeit a little jaded I can’t wait to get another one up and running and build momentum into the next School year and look to have the schools where the Viking coaches dominate the Rugby horizon not only in Waltham Forest but London too!!
So, without further ado and as Carly Simon once sang, “Nobody Does it better”, I bid you Good evening and will look forward to seeing you all very soon.
Viking Rugby 