THIS October half-term an alternative child care for five-to-nine year-olds is available for local families.

Creddy Club launches on Monday, October 25, runs for three days, and will provide rugby-based fun to keep children active, provide physical exercise and enjoyment, in a safe environment.

The rugby activities won’t include the contact areas of the game but concentrate on teamwork and the social side with a variety of fitness games and competitions aimed at that age group.

The new group has two Leaders who have developed the concept through their experiences in the sport and with children.

Stef Uter has been a rugby coach at Crediton Rugby Club for five years as well as being a Teaching Assistant at Copplestone Primary School for seven years.

Andrew Drayton is a Level 2 RFU Coach with five years coaching girls teams at Crediton and had nearly 10 years previous experience as a volunteer and then Chair of Crediton Playscheme for Children with Special Needs.

Stef relayed the ethos behind Creddy Club and what the Leaders hope the children will benefit from: “The days have been designed to keep the children moving, interacting and will have an element of team competition.

“We will have regular drink and snack breaks and a lunch period where the children can mix socially.”

She continued: “The day will start with all of the children together in a big game. They will then split into groups to move between two or three activities during the day before ending all together again for a final game.”

For parents who may have reservations, having seen rugby on the television or at Crediton RFC Blagdon pitches, Andrew is quick to allay those anxieties, commenting: “It has never been in our thinking to pitch the children against each other in rugby contact in any way shape or form and, in addition, the RFU guidelines state that we couldn’t do this anyway which is why we are inviting the age groups that we are.”

He expanded: “There are a whole host of games, activities and interactions that, whilst based on the techniques and skills used in the game, will just provide fun for the children.

“They will benefit from the fitness, motor skills and, most importantly social mixing and respect for each other that our game provides.

“And they’ll be able to take all of this away with them and, probably without even knowing they are, use them as they grow older.”

Creddy Club will meet at Crediton Rugby Club and use the Rec pitches for its activities.

Should the weather be against those attending, an alternative inside venue has been arranged so that the club can go ahead. Registration for the day starts from 9am and the children will be collected from 3pm in the afternoon.

For more information email: [email protected] .

The group is also on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, search Creddy Club. Spaces are limited so booking early is advised for Crediton’s new active Holiday Club.