Tackling Numbers in partnership with MBNA

Tackling Numbers is an award winning interactive numeracy programme for young children. The programme is developed and delivered by Premiership Rugby in partnership with MBNA. This five week programme aims to teach 8-9 year olds the importance of number skills in everyday life.
The rugby-themed programme is delivered in schools by representatives from all 12 Premiership Rugby clubs, through both classroom sessions and practical number-based rugby games. This innovative and engaging programme makes learning about numbers fun, exciting and rewarding, inspiring children to both improve their numeracy skills and their physical health.

Wayne Morris, Head of Community at Premiership Rugby, said: "Rugby has long been seen as a social game that unites and brings people from all over the world together. In more recent years rugby's ability to engage with children is being used to transcend into the classroom.
“The Tackling Numbers Programme in partnership with MBNA utilises the power of rugby to promote the understanding and learning of numeracy in a fun and enjoyable way. The classroom sessions are supported by practical PE sessions that unite an active mind with an active body."

John Greaves, Director of Communications for MBNA said "Tackling Numbers complements the efforts of teachers in schools to provide the foundations for good numeracy skills and is giving children memorable experiences that will last them a lifetime.

“Together with Premiership Rugby, we have created a programme that is equipping young people with the knowledge and tools to help them manage their money in the future – and how better to do that than to engage them in mathematics in a practical and enjoyable way, with some of the stars of English rugby."

Aviva Premiership Rugby Schools Programme

This season sees the launch of the exciting new Aviva Premiership Rugby Schools Programme, an initiative that will introduce over 36,000 young people to the sport through tag rugby.

The scheme is run by Premiership Rugby and the 12 Aviva Premiership Rugby clubs up and down the country and is expected to involve 600 primary schools with 1,200 teachers also receiving training. 600 sets of equipment and resources will be distributed and 300,000 spectators are expected to watch demonstration events.

The Aviva Premiership Rugby Schools Programme is aimed at Key Stage 2 pupils aged 9 and 10 years. Each Premiership Rugby club will work with two classes at 50 schools.

The Aviva Premiership Rugby Schools Programme involves a six week introduction to rugby:

• Week 1-3: Skill development and learning the rules
• Week 3-5: Skill development and team skills
• Week 6: Festival

The tag rugby festival in week six will be the first taste of competitive rugby for many children and will allow schools that are new to rugby to participate in a fun tag rugby festival with schools of a similar standard.

Once school from each Premiership Rugby club region will qualify for the Finals at Twickenham on Aviva Premiership Rugby Final day where they will represent their Premiership Rugby club.

Wayne Morris, Head of Community at Premiership Rugby, said, “The Aviva Premiership Rugby Schools Programme is a fantastic opportunity for children to get to know the sport of rugby, learn new skills and gain in confidence. I would like to thank Aviva for their commitment in helping us to provide this fabulous opportunity to help develop the grassroots of the game in new rugby playing schools.”