Following an action packed 11 weeks of spring / summer non-contact rugby based games and activities (which included a trip to the Finals of the HSBC World Rugby 7s competition at Twickenham in early May), the Sharks U12s squad headed down to Dover Sea Sports Centre for a 3 hour rafting activity.
Aside from being a lot of fun, the rafting activity challenged our young players to work effectively in teams: firstly, in terms of building their rafts and secondly, in being able to manoeuvre their raft through a series of races and activities whilst out on the water which aim to develop improved confidence levels and effective communication skills within our young players.
Having ‘built’ their rafts (thank you parents!) and wearing their funky pink/ black wetsuits, the teams took to the water for the races. Team Boaty McBoatface emerged as 2-0 winners of the races when Team ‘Pear’ Grylls suffered a catastrophic technical failure (raft disintegration) towards the end of the 2nd race. Following a quick patch up / running repairs, the teams were then put through a series of challenges which involved standing up and walking around the raft back to their initial start position and jumping off / getting back on the raft. As expected, the boys proved to be extremely adept at jumping off the raft but were pretty useless at getting back on….much to the delight of the parents who were watching from the safety of the beach!
All in all, the rafting activity proved to be an enjoyable and memorable day for everyone concerned with everyone who went into the water coming out alive, and in almost every case – fit and well!
Dover Sharks U12s are always looking for new players, so if you are an 11 year old (current Year 7) boy or girl who is interested in giving rugby a try then please contact Lee Hayes on 07971 525867or Paddy McAdam on 07771593619 . Alternatively, you are most welcome to come along and join us for training at 10:30am on Sundays at the Crabble Ground, the home of Dover Sharks RFC in River.
