WATCH: Leicester Tigers run rugby sessions in Guernsey
RUGBY World Cup finalist Mathew Tait was on hand to pass on some tip to local players as part of the Leicester Tigers rugby camps in Guernsey earlier this month.
Schools and clubs around the island were visited by the Tigers community coaches over a three-day period which resulted in over 1,000 players being involved.
Although he laughed as he revealed that ‘honestly, I can’t see myself going into coaching’, Tait was evidently enjoying being able to pass on a few tips to the local youngsters.
‘It’s great to be out here doing a bit and working with the various age groups – they’ve all been very enthusiastic in the sessions we’ve done,’ said Tait, who started out at Newcastle Falcons before moving on to Sale before spending seven years playing at Leicester as well as earning 36 England caps including starting the 2007 RWC final against South Africa.
‘The island’s got an association with the club, obviously Peter Tom [Leicester chairman] is here, the Tigers have been here in the past and with the World Cup on, it’s an opportune moment to try and re-ignite that partnership.
‘Hopefully it just ignites a bit of a passion and an interest in rugby and the club. It’s important with kids of this age to be active – it’s all those cliches, but they are true – and hopefully they can take a few little titbits away from it, but mostly just enjoy themselves.
‘The Guernsey Rugby Association and academy they’ve got seem to be doing good things over here, so if we can complement and add to that then that’ll be great.’
Tait added that it is important to tap into the buzz generated by the World Cup and keep interest in the game for the long term.
Leicester Tigers released a video of the rugby sessions: