MORE than 80 primary school children in and around Durham have been taking part in a new tag rugby league thanks to support from a housing association.

Children from more than a dozen schools across the area were invited to take part in the mixed tag rugby competition at Durham City Rugby Club.

The league has been organised by Durham and Chester-le-Street School Sport Partnership and was made possible thanks to funding from Believe housing.

A £500 community grant from the housing association helped to pay for rugby balls and other equipment, as well as training for referees from Durham University Women’s Rugby Football Club (DUWRFC) and running costs for the sessions.

The four-week league included children from Years 4 and 5 at Bowburn Juniors, Gilesgate, Edmondsley, Esh CE, Lumley Juniors, Nevilles Cross, Red Rose schools.

Alongside encouraging more youngsters to try rugby, particularly girls, the league was also aimed at improving physical and mental health for the children taking part.

Believe housing funding officer Damian Pearson, said: “Team sports like rugby bring so much to the children involved. It’s not just the physical side. They learn so much about working together as a team, making friends and developing emotionally.

“It was great to be able to play a role in making this league possible. Our community grants programme was designed with projects like this in mind, where a relatively small amount of funding can make a big difference.”

Emma Nichol from Durham and Chester-le-Street School Sport Partnership said: “Well done to all the schools who took part in the league, the standard of Rugby on display was fantastic and more importantly the children demonstrated The Rugby Football Union’s Values of teamwork, respect, enjoyment, discipline throughout. Thank you to believe housing for sponsoring the league and our partners Durham City Rugby Club and Durham University.”

For details of Believe’s grant programme visit www.believehousing.co.uk or contact 0300 1311 999.

The scheme provides funds of up to £500 and is designed to help new groups take their first steps as well as supporting longstanding organisations. The application process has been kept deliberately simple and funding decisions are made monthly to ensure groups are not waiting for lengthy periods to find out if they have been successful.

Any community organisation, non-profit making group, charity or school is eligible for the scheme.