School rugby championships today

Beyond Rugby Bermuda will hold a Rugby Championship event today.  

This programme combines rugby with other ways to support healthy youth development.

The Aspen/Validus Rugby Championship Day will take place at the TN Tatem Middle School from 3:30pm to 6pm.

The tournament will include three secondary schools and five middle schools.

This is part of the Beyond Rugby programme, which helps young people to develop good character and succeed in school while having fun and staying fit. 

The group offers daily homework support and a meal after practice to make it all work. 

Former WWE world champion and volunteer Beyond Rugby coach John Layfield said: “Practice sessions offer young people more than rugby skills. Our approach is to use the game and our time together to build loyalty to one another and redirect frustration and aggression through the shared values of discipline, teamwork and respect.” 

Beyond Rugby Bermuda is a partnership between the Bermuda Rugby Football Union and The Family Centre. 

Mr. Layfield added: “We love to see young people become involved in the sport but the real joy is seeing kids who were sometimes hostile to each other become a close-knit group, working together and looking out for each other.” 

James Few, CEO, Aspen Re said: “We are delighted to be associated with Beyond Rugby and would like to congratulate The Family Centre and Beyond Rugby Bermuda for their tremendous success with this important programme”.  

Jerome Dill from Validus said: “Validus is proud to partner with and support the efforts of Beyond Rugby.  We are looking forward to the second Annual Beyond Rugby Championship and wish each team the best of luck in this competition.”

Bermuda School Rugby Champions will be crowned at this annual event. 

A very special MVP award, known as the Malcolm K. Outerbridge Jr. trophy, will be presented to an outstanding high school player. 

This award is sponsored by Fairmont Hotels and the Outerbridge family in honour of Malcolm K. Outerbridge, Jr, a positive young man who tragically lost his life. 

Shelley Meszoly, regional director of sales and marketing for Fairmont Bermuda, said: “It is rewarding and encouraging to see how the Beyond Rugby programme has given so many of Bermuda’s youths a positive, sports outlet.

Fairmont will present the MVP trophy.