Ben Gissing helped to coach over 20 young rugby players at the Forrester rugby camp on Wednesday (6 August).
As part of the camp organised by Forrester React-2-Rugby development officer, Richard Fleming, participating children aged between nine and 13 from the west of Edinburgh and south Queensferry took part in the three day camp geared towards having fun with rugby.
The three day camp began by focusing on hand catching skills and some fun game play before utilising the experience of the Edinburgh Rugby’s Ben Gissing on day two to focus on accuracy in contact and hands in contact.
Edinburgh Rugby Club actively promotes and supports all the rugby clubs from in and around the Edinburgh district. In order to get involved contact Edinburgh's community department on 0131 346 5255.
Unfortunately the heavy rain meant that outdoor rugby activities were moved indoors however it was never going to dampen the spirits of the young campers who grabbed the chance to grill popular second row Gissing in the shelter of the Forrester clubhouse.
Richard Fleming said: “Obviously the weather wasn’t that great today but the kids still had a great time meeting Ben and are now all preparing for tomorrow where we’ll get outside again – fingers crossed.
“Ben was great. Having a pro player down to the camp makes a big difference to the kids as they’re massive role models and show the link to the club and professional game.”
“This is the 25th year of mini rugby at Forrester and our numbers are pretty good though we’re always looking to recruit – hopefully with our school visits and player appearances we can continue to make good progress.”
Weather permitting the kids can look forward to putting the new skills and advice into practice tomorrow on the camp’s third and final day which will feature rugby rounders, tag and touch, as well as the more traditional contact and non-contact aspects of training to play the game.
Scottish Rugby’s regional development manager for the Edinburgh, Greg Cann, added: “Summer camps are one of many ways we are using to introduce new players to rugby and in turn increase the membership at the local clubs.
