THE children and staff of local primary schools are all agreed that having the chance to meet and train with the Newport players makes their Gateway Rugby sessions extra special.

The scheme sends community development officers (CDO's) into the schools of Newport and Monmouthshire on a fortnightly basis and the Newport club make every effort to have the players attend on an every second session basis - subject to the players' training and playing demands.

And there's no doubt that when they do attend, they are a huge hit! Phil Davies, Newport's community development director and the man responsible for Gateway Rugby, said: "We recently mailed a questionnaire to the 60 or so schools participating in the project and one of the main themes of their replies was how much the children and staff appreciated having the Newport players attend the sessions. It's always been one of our objectives to put the players in front of the children and have them use their privileged position to get the right messages across".

Replying via the questionnaire, Richard Waller, headteacher at Overmonnow Primary, said: "It's been a real thrill for the children and the staff to meet the Newport players. It's also very gratifying to know that the players so readily give of their time to motivate and enthuse the children. At first, the children were star-struck and tongue-tied but as their confidence has grown so their ability to get more and more from the sessions - and from the players visits - has increased".

With Newport's first team squad made up of players from eight different countries the opportunities for sharing a wide variety of experiences with the children are exceptional. Headteacher at Trellech Primary, Linda Beavan, said: "The children love it when the players are in attendance. For them to be able to get so close to their heroes is a huge bonus and nothing but good can come from the players being such willing and positive role models".

Liz Blakemore, headteacher at Raglan VC Junior School agrees. She said: "All the visiting players have been excellent ambassadors both for the game in general and for Newport Rugby Club.

"The children's interest in sport and rugby has definitely been heightened by their contact with Gateway Rugby and with the players. The project has been carefully developed and the structured way in which the children learn so many new skills is well planned and educationally, very sound.

"If the CDO's input is the Gateway Rugby 'cake' then visits from the players is the icing on that cake"

And what do the players think about all the school-yard activity? Adrian Garvey is the sort of guy with whom you'd rather not argue. Capped 29 times by the South African Springboks, the tough-as-teak 18 stone prop forward said: "We always have a fantastic welcome and the players have as much fun as the kids. The skill levels are always quite exceptional and it never ceases to amaze me how quickly the youngsters pick up even the most difficult and demanding drills.

"Standards are increasing on a weekly basis and I have also been impressed with how well behaved the children are because self-discipline, whether in sport or in any other walk of life, is so important. Gateway Rugby has given us the platform from which to positively influence thousands of young lives and all the players fully support Newport Rugby Club's effort to do all it can for the community it serves".