Band-Sarries motivates new generation with Child’s Festival at Band Arena
Club engaged more than 300 children with 34 matches played on Sunday (18)
São Paulo (SP) – The São Paulo Saracens Bandeirantes (Band Sarries) fulfill the mission of sowing the athletes of the future to bring together 330 children from ten clubs in their field Band Arena, in Ibirapuera, on Sunday (18). The Children’s Festival of Rugby, valid for the São Paulo circuit, moved players 7-13 years 34 matches, with the aim of encouraging them to practice and show parents the values of sport, without concern for the outcome. All participants received medals.
The event organized in partnership with the Paulista Federation of Rugby (FPR) was played by Band Sarries, Leões de Paraisópolis, Hurra (projeto da Prefeitura de SP), Pasteur, Cougars (Vinhedo) São José, Rugby em Ação, Jambeiro, Jacareí and SPAC. The Hurra team, with 61 entries, was the team with the largest number of players in four categories: U7, U9, U11 and U13.
The meeting had the technical coordination of Valter Sugarava the “Japinha”, former Brazilian national team player and Band Sarries from five years. Today, also accumulates the function of fitness coach on 1st XV team. Japinha lived a ‘Dad’ Sunday, to follow the games of it’s son Dirceu in the category U|7. “He started playing at four years and wishes to come to the field every Saturday to play and joy with cousins and friends.”
Japinha found that the sports also brought other advantages to the small Dirceu. “The quality of his food has improved greatly, always comes home tired and hungry.” The theory of the dad is fully justified, Apart from rugby, Dirceu aslo do swimming and plays football. “I like football, but when I play rugby run much more” quickly told the young Dirceu, seconds before running off with the ball in hand, side by side with it’s cousins Lais and Murilo.
Idols in Field – The Children’s Festival was attended by players from the Band Sarries and the Brazilian national team: Jonathan “Chabal”, who played with the kids, and Pedro Rosa, who acted as referee. Both were always surrounded by children eager to acquire some learning. “We’re still in the process of development. A event like this is critical because these are boys and girls who will raise the Brazil level of rugby in 20 years. As Bigger the base, the better is our future.” opined Chabal.
Peter, who enjoyed whistling games of our future athletes, think in a similar way to this friend “Chabal”, “This is the way to grow Rugby. Gotta start playing with five years of age as it is in countries where the sport is strong . I just had the opportunity to get into Rugby at 20. Has to be also, integration with families, school, university and work. In Argentina, for example, many teams are formed by companies employees.” reported Peter.
Fellowship – The accumulation of functions in order to contribute to the community is a feature in rugby. The President of the Band-Sarries, Joaquín Gabriel Mina, is also coach of team U13 team, where his son Gabriel plays. “I am very pleased. It’s very nice to see them at the festival applying the concepts they acquire in training. Does not matter if win or lose. Important is the fraternization”, boasts the president.
Another former player of the Brazilian national team, Bruno Rossi, also remained on the edge of the pitch following the footsteps of his son João Gabriel, from the U9 category of São José club. “The passion is in the blood. Though a tough game, it was great my training for the principles of fellowship, loyalty and respect that came from rugby. Whether it was good for me it will also be good for my son”, Bruno wished.
The “tough game” quoted by Bruno can be easily found between bumps, hits, falls, and other typical situations of a contact game. However, in 34 matches, nothing more serious occurred beyond the need of some bags of ice after the collisions. Until the girl Maria Luisa, only girl int the Cougars U9, from Vinhedo, left for the hits. “I’m not afraid. I’ve Taken a lot of hits, but then I’ll go up and also hit them” said the sprightly and determined young girl.
Original text in Portuguese by ZDL Comunicação: zdl.com.br, translation by Marcelo Bellório.