By Gary Anderson

November 21 - Organisers of the rugby youth partnership want to capitalise on the 2015 Rugby World Cup which is less than two years away © Getty Images A new youth partnership aimed at secondary schoolchildren and teachers in the build-up to the 2015 World Cup has been announced today by the Rugby Football Union (RFU), the Youth Sport Trust and tournament organisers.

The three organisations will work together to organise a range of activities designed to promote rugby within schools and get more youngsters playing the game as part of a strategy to maximise the exposure generated by England's hosting of the sport's premier competition in less than two years time.

There are three strands to the new campaign including school rugby ambassadors, school resource packs for teachers and a welcome ceremonies initiative.

"We are very pleased to announce that we will be working alongside the Youth Sport Trust and England 2015 on such an exciting project to help us raise awareness of rugby union in schools and inspire more young people to play the game," said Steve Grainger, the RFU's rugby development officer.

"Our aim is to help them feel part of the excitement that hosting Rugby World Cup 2015 will bring to this country and to have a real connection to the sport in the build-up to the tournament.

"The RFU has a strong relationship with the Youth Sport Trust and this is an opportunity to involve them and their considerable experience of working with schools to change young people's lives through sport."

The new campaign launched today aims to promote rugby and increase participation in schools in the build-up to Rugby World Cup 2015 © Getty Images The new campaign launched today aims to promote rugby and increase participation in schools in the build-up to Rugby World Cup 2015 © Getty Images
























As part of the school rugby ambassadors strand of the partnership, a number of pupils will be selected to take a leading role within their school in the promotion of rugby and the Rugby World Cup by organising events marking key milestones in the build-up to the tournament.

This programme will be formally launched at the Youth Sport Trust's national conference taking place at the Telford International Centre in February 2014.

The Youth Sport Trust will also be heavily involved in selecting local schoolchildren to help welcome people to the tournament, providing them with an opportunity to learn about the history and culture of the 20 teams taking part and to bring a flavour of the local area to Rugby World 2015, according to organisers.

"The country is enjoying unprecedented success when it comes to hosting major sporting events, and Rugby World Cup 2015 presents another exciting opportunity to inspire young people through sport," said John Steele, chief executive of the Youth Sport Trust.

"This partnership will see the three organisations sharing knowledge and expertise, and ensuring that young people across the country feel part of what will be a very special sporting occasion."

Schoolchildren will learn about the history and culture of teams taking part in Rugby World Cup 2015 which kicks-off at Twickenham on September 18 © AFP/Getty Images Schoolchildren will learn about the history and culture of teams taking part in Rugby World Cup 2015 which kicks-off at Twickenham on September 18 ©AFP/Getty Images





















Teachers are also set play a key role in the campaign through the use of a school resource pack.

The pack, due to be available from next summer, is currently being put together by a select number of teachers from around the country and organisers say it will help teachers and students use rugby union as a tool right across school and celebrate the sport in the run up to and during the Rugby World Cup, due to get underway at Twickenham on September 18, 2015.

"Through this partnership we want to involve and engage young people in Rugby World Cup 2015 and help spread the excitement around the country as we build towards the tournament," said Debbie Jevans, England 2015 chief executive..

"We want them to play an important role in welcoming the world to this proud rugby nation and this initiative will give an excellent opportunity for fans, players and visitors to interact with schools and the local community."

This latest initiative will run alongside the RFU's All Schools Programme launched last year which aims to get 750 state schools playing rugby in the run up to the 2015 Rugby World Cup and beyond.