Buchan School receives RFU award

A Buchan team will represent the island at Twickenham later in the year

Pupils at the Buchan School were presented with the Rugby Football Union's President's XV Award on Friday from the RFU president-elect John Owen.

The prestigious award is one of the highest accolades that can be given to junior players by the RFU.

Owen, who takes up his position on 12 July, said: "What the school has achieved in the last three years in quite phenomenal.

"It's testament to some incredibly hard work from pupils, staff and parents."

He added: "Rugby instils an ethos in young people of team-work, self-discipline, self-respect and good sportsmanship.

"All of the these qualities are on display at the Buchan School and everyone involved should be very proud of this achievement."

It was a great honour when I found out that the pupils had won this award and it's an honour to be able to welcome John Owen to the school today to present it to them

Buchan School PE teacher Neil MacGregor

The President's Awards have been running for four years and recognise schools and clubs who make an outstanding commitment to rugby.

The Buchan School are one of only 15 schools or sports clubs in the UK to win the award this year, beating hundreds of UK-wide nominees.

Neil MacGregor, PE teacher at the Buchan School, commented: "It was a great honour when I found out that the pupils had won this award and it's an honour to be able to welcome John Owen to the school today to present it to them."

Both male and female pupils from the age of five upwards at the Buchan School play the game.

MacGregor added: "Their passion and enthusiasm for the sport is demonstrated by their achievements on the pitch and I am very proud of them all."

Headteacher Alison Hope Hedley said: "All of our pupils should be very proud of their achievements, it's testament to their hard work and incredible dedication.

"The award is a fantastic outcome to what has been a real surge in the development of sport at our school."