PICTURE GALLERY: Ballymena mini Festival of Rugby

On Friday, April 9, they played host to three visiting Scottish sides from Ardrossan at P5, P6 and P7.

A fantastic morning's rugby took place with the Scottish sides holding their own against the home teams for much of the time. But then the Irish came out on top much to the satisfaction of the Ballymena players and coaches.

Then on Saturday, 10th April Eaton Park, forty four teams comprising of nearly 700 players from age seven through to twelve took part in the annual Festival of Mini Rugby.

This year's Six Nations winning nation was represented at Under Eleven by a French touring side Pays 6 – Fournais from Nice who fielded two teams.

A function for the French visitors was held in the clubhouse afterwards with the visitors receiving a variety of club mementoes of their day.

Home grown talent was also very much in evidence with all teams putting on a display of excellent rugby for the large crowd of spectators. There was blood, sweat and even some tears - and that was just the coaches!

Teams from Randalstown, Carrick, Ballymoney, Coleraine, CIYMS and Ballymena all took part on the Day. The fair weather and excellent organisation by the home club, visiting team efforts, support from parents, and hard work and enthusiasm of the club staff and volunteers helped ensure that it all ran smoothly on the day. To everyone who helped out in whatever capacity the Mini Section are most grateful.

As always local business dug deep and lent their support, Michelin, Crash, DKM Printing Travelmax.co.uk, Starbucks, Corbally Hygiene Group, The Loop Training Consultants, AWS Promotions, Ballygowan Water, Tayto Crisps, D&W Cleaning Services, Spar, ASDA, Montgomery's, Jane's Kitchen, Rodney Cole Renault Cookstown, Alan McCandless Photography, Label One and McAllister's of Broughshane all assisting with underwriting the cost and providing goods that made the Festival so successful. Without their support a large community event like this would just not have been possible.

The young players were then treated to a visit from the winning Ballymena Academy side with the Schools Cup and were able to have their photo taken alongside the trophy and meet the players.

It is worth noting that 18 of the 23 man Academy squad started playing Rugby at Mini level on a Saturday morning. The next Steven Ferris or Paddy Wallace could have been out there.

The Festival continues to go from strength to strength and photos of the day will be available to view at the mini section of the Ballymena club website www.ballymenarfc.com.