Haywards Heath juniors enjoy Premiership Cup
Hundredsofyoungrugbyplayersgotthechancetoshowcase their skills as the Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup returned to Harlequins.
Staines Rugby Club hosted a thrilling under-11 and under-12 grassroots developmentalfestival,wherethebest teams in the south east met to lock horns.
This successful series of nationwide events, now running for nearly two decades and organised by Land Rover – the Official Vehicle of Premiership Rugby – has seen more than 100,000 children take part to date, with some realising their dreams of going on to play for Premiership Rugby clubs.
HaywardsHeath’sunder-11 star man Archie Oats relished the opportunity to put his preparations into practice.
Oats said: “The tournament has been a lot of fun - it’s a bit cold today but if you wear some skins you can manage!
“We all love playing in these kinds of festivals and it’s a great opportunity to express yourself on the field.”
The competition was a fantastic spectacle for those in attendance, with the highly competitive fixtures providing a meaningful platform for youngsters to develop their rugby skills.
There will be an under-12 ‘winning’ team at each festival, with the prize being a Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup Trophy and a trip to Twickenham for the Premiership Rugby Final, with the successful under-11 team based on their demonstration of the core values of the game duringthefestival,respect,togetherness, strength of character and composure.
Lewes were also amongst the 18 clubs in the competition, and Oliver George Smith of the under-12s said: “I’ve never done a tournament before but it’s been a good first time.
“I’ve had fun playing with my friends and beating the opposition!”
Thehighlycompetitivefixtures provide a platform for youngsters to develop their skills, with Harlequins’ Louis Lynagh and Newcastle Falcons’ Callum Chick amongst Land Rover Rugby Cup players who graduated to the Premiership.