DALE PUPILS PREPARE FOR RUGBY FESTIVAL

They are young, rough and tough. These are the young rugby players who give it their all at the Dale Junior rugby fields every Friday afternoon to prepare themselves for Dale Junior School’s U7 and U8 Rugby Festival.

Participating schools are Balasi, Breidbach, De Vos Malan, Harpeton, and West Bank Primary schools, as well as Berlin Child World and Dale Junior.

The festival is played in a friendly atmosphere and the boys revel in the interaction with each other. “Ever since its inception two years ago, the festival has gone from strength to strength. The boys definitely benefit from the frequent participation in this kind of activity,” said Louis Mpande, who is the brain behind the initiative.

And boy, do the youngsters give it their all. There are high tackles, low tackles, missed tackles as well as bumps on heads, sore bodies and tears, all of which can not deter the youngsters from returning to the field of play, following treatment by many of the first aid personnel on hand..

On arrival to witness the many games played over 10 minutes per half, a parked ambulance was spotted nearby, just in case of serious injury.

“It’s a wonderful occasion for the kids and their families to celebrate sport and rugby in particular,” Dale Junior headmistress, Patricia Thatcher said. She said the school was grateful to Nicks Foods for their continued support.

Deputy principal Mary McLean said: “These youngsters really get stuck in and it’s clear they all have a love for the game.”