RUGBY World Cup winner Jonny Wilkinson was at Streatham-Croydon this week for a rugby festival.
The former England star, who won the Webb Ellis trophy in Australia in 2003, visited the club to meet students and teachers from 14 local schools as an ambassador for All Schools – a programme designed to increase the number of secondary state schools in England playing rugby union.
He was accompanied by Women's Rugby World Cup winner Emily Scarratt.
They took part in a kit-design workshop, as well as hosting a workshop on being part of a team and coaching the lucky students at the All Schools festival.
The objective is to have 400 schools enrolled by next year's World Cup and 750 schools by 2019.
Wilkinson said: "It's been great to come to Streatham-Croydon and meet some of the students and teachers who are benefiting from All Schools.
"I felt strongly about getting involved with the programme, as I think it will make a difference to people and communities across the country.
"Rugby's not just running around chasing a ball, it is about being part of a team and changing your life.
"As I've seen here, it can have such a positive impact and energy for so many people."
Also attending the event was the Minister for Children & Families, Edward Timpson.
The Department for Education has given £820,985 of ring-fenced funding in 2013-14 to primary schools across Croydon to improve their PE facilities.
