Local schools support their Rugby World Cup stars

Oct 18 2007 by Chloe Griffiths, The Journal

MILLIONS of rugby fans across the world will be glued to their televisions at 8pm this Saturday.

But youngsters at two North-East schools have got more reason than most to be transfixed by the World Cup final between England and South Africa.

For among the players taking to the pitch will be two of their schools’ most revered alumni.

England and Newcastle Falcon young guns Mathew Tait and Toby Flood are both expected to take to the pitch, alongside team mate Jonny Wilkinson.

Staff and pupils at both of their schools will be keeping a keen eye on their old boys’ fortunes this weekend.

Barnard Castle has a proud history of producing rugby stars with Rob Andrew and brothers Tony and Rory Underwood all products of its system, but now the County Durham school is awash with anticipation to see Mathew line up at the Stade de France.

Yesterday pupils and staff from the school took to the chapel steps to record their own rendition of Swing Low Sweet Chariot as a powerful message of support for the 21-year-old. The impromptu celebration of their favourite old boy was recorded on video which is being sent to him in France.

The Falcons star left the school – which his younger brother and sister still attend – three years ago with straight As and is still in close contact with many there, especially rugby coach Martin Pepper who said: “Mathew is one of the most talented players I have had the privilege to coach and it has been fantastic to share in his World Cup experience.

“His confidence has grown immensely and his determination and work rate, I am sure, will eventually win through allowing him to show the world the speed and agility that makes him such a danger on the field. I don’t think we have seen the best of him yet and can’t wait for the final.”

Headmaster David Ewart added: “Barnard Castle is a relatively small school blessed with a fine reputation nationally for its academic and rugby achievements. The aim here is to develop rounded individuals who go on to become happy, confident, but respectful citizens, with the confidence and ability to achieve their dreams.”

Meanwhile excitement is also mounting at King’s School in Tynemouth, where fly half Toby Flood honed his skills.

The business management graduate at Northumbria University is expected to come off the bench to take centre stage at the final, however, he is unlikely to suffer from stage fright – thanks to his family’s acting heritage.

One of the 21-year-old’s grandfathers Albert Lieven featured in a several movies, and the other, Gerald Flood, starred in Doctor Who and Tom Brown’s Schooldays. His father Tim also has theatrical connections and is the former general manager of the Whitley Bay playhouse. And one of the loudest cheers if he gets on the pitch will certainly come from his former school, where is remembered as a “model pupil”.

Headteacher Philip Cantwell said: “Toby was such a good role model, he would work with all the younger boys, helping them to improve their skills. When you see him smiling and talking to opposite numbers and his team mates he’s just as he was when he was a school-boy here. He was a model pupil and so many of the youngsters look up to him. He proves what you can do if you work hard and everyone here will be supporting him.”

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Tugging at the purse strings

THE Newcastle Falcons yesterday put their weight behind a campaign to raise money in honour of inspirational Josie Grove.

Four of the rugby union team’s stars headed to Whickham School and Sports College yesterday to take part in a charity tug-of-war as part of a week of activities aimed at raising money for the 16-year-old’s cancer charity.

Courageous Josie died in February following a two-year battle with cancer, but her bravery and determination has inspired hundreds to fundraise in her name and more than £100,000 has been collected.

Now more than 350 youngsters at the Gateshead school are adding to that total as they hold their ninth annual charity week with the Josie Groves Leukaemia Fund chosen as the beneficiary. Pupils and staff have organised a week of events, including fashion shows, a battle of the bands, and teacher sumo-wrestling.

But yesterday was the highlight of the week as Rob Vickers, Tim Visser, Rupert Harden and Ross Batty took to the playing field to take on a series of teams involving staff and pupils in a show of strength.

Although head of year 12 Linda Cooper confessed the teams weren’t always quite equal. She said: “I think on occasion there was about 20 people against the Falcons. It was great fun and the kids were very excited. I think the players enjoyed it too, as they promised to come back again next year.”

The school has already raised £5,000 for the fund, but it hoped this will have doubled by the weekend.

• Rugby fans are being asked to descend on the home of the Newcastle Falcons to watch England in their epic bid to bring the World Cup home again.

No county has ever landed the trophy in consecutive tournaments, but those gathered at the Falcon’s Kingston Park home will be willing them on to land the historic title.

Bosses at the ground are hoping supporters will flock there to will on the team – particularly Falcons stars Jonny Wilkinson, Mathew Tait and Toby Flood, who should all be involved in the action. Fans are being invited down to the stadium early to help build the atmosphere. Drinks and food will be available and officials are expecting an unrivalled level of excitement.

The stadium’s Italian pizzeria ristorante Due Diece will also be taking bookings with the game shown live on numerous television around the venue.

Newcastle Falcons supporters club chairman Martin Peagam said: “We are absolutely delighted that three Falcons players will be in the final team and we know they will do the Falcons and the whole of Newcastle proud.”