On Sunday 15th April 2007 Burradon Community Primary School made the visit to Twickenham as representatives of the Newcastle Falcons rugby team. This was part of the EDF energy national schools rugby programme, which is aimed at introducing 100,000 children to rugby union throughout the United Kingdom.
On the day 100 children attended from 17 schools each representing one of the major premier clubs of England and Wales.
We set off at 0600 and the children were very excited at the prospect of seeing some top international players during the EDF cup final up close, with most of them having never been to a rugby match before. We arrived at the stadium at 1230 and the weather was blistering hot (25o C). The children all received goodie bags with T-shirts and other items from the sponsors. They took part in a lap of honour around the stadium before the main final and also participated in a tag rugby demonstration on the pitch at half time. The final itself was a spectacle with the Leicester Tigers pipping the Ospreys in a close fought match with plenty of tries scored.
We arrived back at 2330 with some very tired but excited children bursting at the seams to tell their parents of their day trip to London.
Colin Mcelligott
