Clifford Chance

Tower Hamlets Primary School Designs Rugby Shirt for International Law Firm Clifford Chance

Children from Shapla Primary School in Tower Hamlets have taken part in a competition to design a t-shirt for the London rugby team at international law firm Clifford Chance. This week the firm's London Managing Partner, David Bickerton, attended the school to award the creative students their prizes.

The winning entry was designed by Sameeha, aged five, from Year 1. As a result of winning the competition, Sameeha's classmates were all awarded with the uniquely designed t-shirts which will also be worn by the firm's own rugby team in London.

David Bickerton commented: 'The students at Shapla showed impressive artistic talent, making judging the designs a tough job. As the Official Law Firm of Rugby World Cup 2015 we have an exciting year ahead of us and we are delighted that Shapla will be a part of the fantastic programme of events we have planned for the coming months. Our colleagues in the Clifford Chance rugby team will wear Sameeha's designs with great pride, and hopefully, to victory - although that is secondary.'

Shapla's Head Teacher, Tim Barnes said:' It was a wonderful opportunity for all of the children to use their creativity in designing a theme for the Rugby shirt. It also gave us the opportunity to talk about Rugby and raise the children’s awareness of the sport. If the England team is as successful as Sameeha’s design during the competition we should be very pleased.'

Shapla Primary School has a close partnership with the London office at Clifford Chance, dominated by the success of its 20 year literacy programme. The partnership was set up in 1994 and Clifford Chance partner, Mark Campbell, is both Chair of Governors at the school as well as a member of the Board of Trustees of Tower Hamlets Education Business Partnership.

In addition to the successes of the law firm's own rugby team in London, Clifford Chance is the Official Law Firm of Rugby World Cup 2015 and has been advising the International Rugby Board and RWCL for many years. The Rugby World Cup is not only the third largest sporting occasion in the world, it is the funding vehicle for the development of the game globally. Funds raised from the Rugby World Cup are reinvested in rugby around the world through union grants.