Article from rwcwomens.com
WRWC Launch School Twinning – 14 SEPTEMBER 2006
Children from 13 Edmonton Schools were given a special treat yesterday when stars from the IRB Women’s Rugby World Cup dropped in to classes as part of the tournament’s twinning initiative.
Players from the Australia, Canada, England, France, Ireland, New Zealand, Samoa, Scotland, Spain, South Africa and the USA took time out from their busy training schedules ahead of this weekend’s finals and consolation finals to visit schools with which they have been twinned.
A key element of the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2006 legacy project, the twinning scheme is designed to enable the tournament and in particular the participating teams to interact with the local community, raising awareness of the game.
The twinned schools are: Lansdowne Elementary (Australia), W.D Cutts/John D Bracco School (Samoa), Fort Saskatchewan (Scotland), Bev Lacey Composite High School (Spain), M.E Lazerte (New Zealand), Paul Kane (England), Bellrose Comprehensive High School (France), Otteweu (South Africa), Louis St. Laurent (Ireland), Salisbury High School (USA), Weinos Elementary, Lorne Akins, R.J Scott/Lanton (Canada).
Many of the twinned schools have only just returned after the summer break and the visit of some of the biggest names in the women’s game really did help to alleviate those ‘back to school blues’ as the players dropped in on classes, ran physical education sessions and talked about their life as international sportswomen.
“The day was a huge success,” said Tom Jones, the IRB Regional Development Manager for North America and the West Indies. “Players from the teams attended classes throughout the day, talking about rugby and assisting in a variety of classes.”
Huge success
As part of the scheme, the children also get to see their team in action in the Women’s Rugby World Cup. Several schools will attend the finals day at the Commonwealth Stadium, while some were present at Ellerslie Rugby Park for the semi finals.
The long term impact that such a visit can have on students is incredible. 
“Some of the schools were present at the semi finals and really enjoyed their day, while others will be present at the consolation finals at Ellerslie Rugby Park on Saturday and the finals at the Commonwealth Stadium on Sunday and I am sure that they will get right behind the teams that they are twinned with,” added Jones.
The Samoan team certainly proved to be a huge hit at John D Bracco School and made a big impact on the students, so much so that the country has been added into their version of “Heritage Days” in December as one to study.
“The team were wonderful guests to have in our building,” Assistant Principal Dee Elder wrote in a thank you email to Jones. “They shared their culture with our students through dance and song and provided a tremendous look at the game of rugby.
“They included our students and staff in drills and activities and graciously posed for photographs with our students.
” I appreciate that in the planning of an international event such as this the additional task of including schools is often overlooked, but the long term impact that such a visit can have on students is incredible.”
