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Castleford Tigers launched the current Community
Programme in April 2005 with the appointment of the current
Community Marketing Co-ordinator, Alex Green. The programme has
gone from strength to strength in its first year with over 30
primary schools and 1,000 pupils receiving coaching. Recently we
have also employed a Community Coach, Keith Bullimore who brings
years of expertise in working with juniors having previously held
the position of Scholarship Manager and also fulfilling the role
of Schools Development Officer.
 The Tigers current Community Sponsors are Arriva Yorkshire and
Carlton Lanes demonstrating the Departments ability to attract
high profile companies. The Tigers have also secured an impressive
5 Sportsmatch Awards, which has enabled the programme to grow in
size and reach more children.
Find out more about the Tigers Local Community Visits here.
The Arriva/Sportsmatch Try Time Programme
 The sight of the Castleford Tigers bus has left few people unaware
that the club and national bus company Arriva have joined forces
in a major sponsorship deal. The bus however is just one aspect of
a partnership which sees a Community Programme designed to reduce
crime rates on public transport by encouraging participation in sport.
This project is targeted at primary school children in Castleford
and the district. The main aim of the 'Try Time' project is to
increase and sustain the participation of boys and girls at grass
roots level in Rugby League ("its time to try rugby").
The programme is organised in conjunction with the School Sport
Co-ordinator and delivered by The Tigers Community Coach, Keith
Bullimore. Keith visits each school four weeks concurrently, with
one hour sessions to develop core RL skills such as hand/eye
coordination and catching, passing, running etc.
Whenever possible
first team squad members attend at least one session per school to
assist with the coaching, answer questions and sign autographs.
Equipment is left at each school to ensure the sustainability of
the programme and encourage children to continue playing.
Here is just some of the feedback the Community Programme has
received :-
"After rugby training sessions the feedback I have
received from staff has been excellent, the teachers have picked
up coaching tips and practices and the children have developed
their skills the session, as well as being thrilled to meet the
players. It is wonderful to have the Tigers working in the
community (and doing it punctually and effectively)." Henry
Moore School
"The children really enjoyed the sessions and all the feedback
was positive…. the sessions were well matched to what the
children could do." Knottingley Vale School
"The trainers had some excellent ideas and worked them
well to the age of the children. Hope we can make this a regular
inclusion to our P.E programme." England Lane School
In addition to the four weeks training each school also
receives a visit from Stan Price, Arriva's school liaison officer.
Mr Price talks to pupils about a key issue to the UK's public
transport system: vandalism. Through the use of DVD and other
workshop materials the aim is to look at vandalism in the wider
context of the role of public transport services, the causes of
vandalism and the impact that it has on both the prosperity of a
community and the quality of life for its individual citizens.
Representatives from The Tigers put their slant on the subject by
speaking about using rugby as a way of alleviating boredom and
ridding aggression, reasons that are often to blame for transport
vandalism.
The Carlton Lanes Community Day Programme
 This project sponsored by Carlton Lanes Shopping Centre involves
inviting children from schools previously visited through the Try
Time project to The Jungle. On each home match day two schools are
invited to bring along 40 children each. On arriving at the
stadium the children are split into groups and given an hours
coaching session. They are then given a guided tour of the players
gym, the corporate facilities, the boot room, the medical rooms,
changing rooms and the tunnel.
Next the children are moved into
their own marquee where they are provided with lunch and visited
by Tiger squad members. The day culminates with a game of tag
rugby on the main pitch in front of all the Cas Tigers supporters.
At half time the children receive a certificate on the main pitch
for all their hard work during the programme.
At the end of the year sponsorship Castleford Tigers and
Carlton Lanes plan to invite all the children from the different
schools involved to the Jungle to participate in the 'Try Time
Festival.' This will be a full day of tag rugby with the emphasis
being on fun and enjoyment. There will be certificates for all and
prizes for the winners of the competition.
This scheme further develops and promotes rugby league
participation at school level by demonstrating rugby playing at a
professional level, which is not possible by merely visiting
schools. The stadium visits also enable the children to experience
the match day atmosphere, which is one of real community belonging
and local pride.
Local Amateur Clubs
The Tigers attract a huge number of amateur clubs stretching from
Scarborough Pirates to Doncaster Toll Bar. Every home match day
two clubs are invited to bring a team to play in a curtain raiser
to the main match.
The coaches from the clubs also have the
opportunity to speak to those children on school visits providing
that essential link between local schools and amateur clubs. In
addition to this players from the first team squad regularly
attend clubs presentation nights to hand out awards to young
players.
Tigers Summer Camp 2006 Huge Success!
Last week saw the culmination of the 2006 Tigers Summer Camps
sponsored by George Wimpey. The Camps were a huge success with
over 200 children attending the rugby skills sessions run by
Castleford Tigers Community Coaching Team.
The Tigers have always placed a huge emphasis on encouraging
youngsters to become involved in rugby and the summer camps were a
great way to ensure that learning was fun as well as educational.
Particularly popular on the day was the opportunity to meet the
first team players, watch them train and to fill their autograph
books!
One youngster who attended said:
" Well what can I say … worth every penny!!! I was in
the 12 - 14's group and Keith and Mick were excellent. Mick with
the coaching and Keith with the tour around the ground. Training
excellent and am looking forward to coming back on Thursday .
By the way I'll be signing up for a club now they have given me
the confidence!"
The Community Team now run a number of Rugby Camps
throughout the year during school holidays - Click
here for full details.
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