CHIPPENHAM Rugby Club staged a Wiltshire rugby skills week for the eighth year in succession.

The week gave boys and girls aged between eight and 16, a week's intensive coaching in the skills necessary to play the game.

Over the five days of the week, they took part in a structured timetable created to include and cater for the wide range and levels of ability of all those attending.

The coaching staff ensured that each child was placed within a programme specifically designed for their appropriate ages and ability.

All the coaching sessions covered every aspect of the game educating as well as preparing the children to play.

Starting with the value and importance of warming up and stretching, the sessions included handling, kicking and evasion, and for the first time, a new concept was introduced SAQ sessions concentrating on Speed, Agility and Quickness.

The importance of a good, healthy diet and how that improves fitness and stamina formed part of the sessions.

Each day, the children were provided with a healthy mid-day meal and not a chip in sight.

Andy Edwards, a former Welsh RFU Development Officer, was head coach. He said: "It was an intense week for the boys and girls. They learned about all aspects of the game of rugby, both on and off the playing field."

All the participants had a hard week in which they gained in terms of player development and increased fitness levels.

The junior players of the week were Edward Wilson (10) and Rhys Davies, also 10, both current members of CRFC's under 11 squad.

The Intermediate player of the week award went to 11-year-old year old Jacob Emery.

The senior player of the week award went to Will Moore.

The last award was given to the player considered by all the coaching staff to have given not just 100 per cent commitment to the training sessions but attitude and conduct was also considered. The award went to 13-year-old Andrew Bailey.