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Mini rugby festival shaping up for maximum sporting fun
Bury St Edmunds RUFC's first festival of mini rugby is shaping up to be one of the town's largest sporting events of the year.
The festival, on Sunday 19 October, will feature teams from Cambridge, Ipswich, Newmarket, Diss, Shelford and Sudbury who will be fielding teams from U7s up to U12s. In total around 700 mini rugby players are expected, and with parents and supporters around 2,500 people are expected at the Haberden for one of the biggest events in the Bury St Edmunds sporting calendar.
Matches start at 10.30am, with presentations to the winning teams being made by a special surprise guest from the world of elite rugby at 1.30pm. Suffolk County Council deputy leader Cllr Jane Storey will also be presenting the festival's fair play award.
And it's not just the youngsters who will be benefiting from healthy activities.
Event supporters Suffolk County Council, along with NHS Suffolk, will be on hand with their Health on the Move campaign marquee. At the marquee adults will have the chance to get a free health check, including blood pressure and cholesterol levels, carried out by trained staff from West Suffolk Hospital, as well as information and adviuce on health, fitness and physical activity including stopping smoking. The campaign is delievered through the Council's Active Creative Together cultural partnership.
Other events and activities from sponsors and supporters include the RAF regiment, who will be bringing along a 30ft climbing wall, Seamans Building who have sponsored the programme, Finborough School who have sponsored the referees and marshalls, and Ink in Print who have sponsored and provided leaflets and flyers. Local woman Mrs Palfrey has even given the club the use of a nearby field for visiting team parking.
BSE RUFC mini rugby chairman Andy Spetch said: "Holding a festival like this has been an ambition of the club's for many years. Now with our new pitches, we are able to turn the dream into a reality. Rugby is a team game, and without our team of volunteers, supporters, sponsors and everyone who has helped, we wouldn't be looking forward to such a fantastic event, so thanks to everyone.
"At Bury our minis are the foundation of the club and its future success. What the children learn on the pitch has positive outcomes for them in life in general. We like to play to win but the spirit of rugby is in its cameraderie and friendship and I hope we'll make many new friends on Sunday."
Cllr Graham Newman, Suffolk County Council portfolio holder for Community Services, said;
"We're really pleased to bring the Health on the Move campaign to this inaugural Bury mini rugby festival. It's important that we raise health awareness and suggest opportunities for healthy lifestyles. This event will help to reach an audience who do not always get to hear this information in other ways."
This Sunday's training is on for all age groups, but with the ground suffering as a consequence of the heavy rain we have had to put in place a plan to help give the ground a chance to recover.
Under 7 and under 8's to use the all weather pitches
Under 12's to use the 2nd XV pitch
Under 9s, 10s and 11s: it has been arranged for you to use the pitches at Moreton Hall School, Bury St Edmunds.
Details / directions are as follows.
Address:
Moreton Hall Prep School, Mount Road, BSE, IP32 7BJ.
Directions:
Leave the A14 at junction 44 (Sainsburys) the Bury St Edmunds East exit.
At the roundabout turn right (3rd exit) from Ipswich direction, or left (1st exit) from Cambridge.
At the next roundabout (with Sainsbury's on your right) take the second exit, straight over the next mini roundabout, at the next roundabout take the first exit.
At the next roundabout take the second exit. (Moreton Hall Pub on the left)
At the next roundabout turn left in to Mount Road (1st exit).
Moreton Hall School is the second turning on the left.
Keep going down the driveway until you reach the School. Park in front of the school and go around the back (right hand side of the school) and head for the playing fields.
Please park sensibly and and with respect to others. We are guests and the School is doing us a big favour.
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