Rugby Club hosts annual mini festival this weekend

Upwards of 700 families from across the Province will descend on Eaton Park for the club’s hugely popular mini rugby festival.

The teams will range in age from 6 to 11 years old and consist of 8 to 10 players each.

Up to 3 teams in each age group will be on display from each club and matches will be run from 10am to 5.30pm, with the younger players participating in the morning session to lunchtime.

The event this year will be one of the biggest in Ulster, the administration and planning of which has been greatly aided by sponsorship from Bank of Ireland UK, the principal sponsor, supported by Sainsbury’s and Calor for the charity BBQ on the day.

There has also been support from organisations in the form of Dale Farm, Barr’s Butchers and Cubic3.

Sean Sheehan, Regional Manager NI from the Bank of Ireland UK, says: “The festival provides an excellent opportunity for clubs across the Province to engage and develop the emerging talent and promote enthusiasm in the sport.”

The event has also been raising money for NI Cancer Fund for Children and the organising committee will be making a donation to them after the sale of charity players’ socks and other fund raising initiatives at the event.

Families are welcome to join in the day’s activities including an all day BBQ, enjoy the facilities at the Club and perhaps stay to watch the televised Ulster v Saracens Quarter Final HEC match in the early evening.

Syd Millar, President of Ballymena Rugby Club Club said: “It is amazing to see all of our pitches being utilised on Saturday mornings by the mini section with over 400 children playing, in what is an investment in the game in the region.”

Details of parking and the day’s schedule is now available on the club website.