Rap and rugby at school

A local rap artist and poet dropped in at a library to meet a group of young rugby enthusiasts for a rap session as part of an event celebrating the Rugby World Cup 2015.

Year 7 and 8 pupils from Caereinion High School met ‘Mr Phormula’ at Llanfair Caereinion Library and together worked in rap sessions as part of a small project devised by Powys County Council’s Library Service called ‘Try Rap’.

The aim of the project was to develop poetry and literacy skills through an accessible style of music like rap, linked to the excitement of rugby as a sport.

The sessions engaged pupils in reciting words rapidly and rhythmically over an instrumental backing.  The sessions were captured using iPads and their final versions were recorded with the intention of having the best ones uploaded onto a mini site called Rugby Stories (www.rugbystories.wales) which is promoting this year’s Rugby World Cup.

Sioned Camlin, Llanfair Caereinion Library’s Branch Librarian, said: “We wanted the pupils to use library resources in a new and fun way by spending a day learning ways in which to write, talk and formulate their ideas from their experiences in the sport – whether it be as a spectator or a rugby player.”

The project was made possible by a small grant from Museums Archives and Libraries Wales (CyMAL) and Welsh Rugby Union (WRU).

PICTURE: Caereinion High School pupils with local rap artist and poet 'Mr Phormula' at Llanfair Caereinion Library for the 'Try Rap' project.