BIGGEST EVER RUGBY MINIS CHARITY FESTIVAL RAISES MONEY AND FUN 
29 April 2010
More than 600 children from aged 7 to 12 played fast and furious rugby last Sunday in the fourth annual Strathendrick  Mini Rugby Charity Festival. About £4,000 was raised from the event for three local hospices.

With teams from 13 clubs across Scotland, this was one of the biggest ever gatherings of mini rugby players and one of the most popular with players and supporters. As well as giving the youngsters a great day of rugby, three local hospices - Strathcarron Hospice in Denny, Robin House run by CHAS in Balloch and The Prince & Princess of Wales Hospice in Glasgow – will all benefit from the generosity of families, players and local businesses.

To cap the day Scottish internationalists Richie Vernon and Dan Turner from Glasgow Warriors came and boosted the children’s morale, chatted to the youngsters and signed innumerable strips and balls. The event has become a key fixture in the Minis season, with the President of the SRU, Jim Stevenson, also attending.

Teams from Allan Glens RFC, GHA, Glasgow Accies, GHK, Lenzie RFC, West of Scotland, Falkirk, Grangemouth, Alloa, Hillfoots, Bannockburn, East Kilbride and Strathendrick battled it out over 15 pitches. West of Scotland retained the cup for the most tries scored, and were also winners at P5 and P6 age groups. East Kilbride won the P3 competition, Glasgow Accies at P4 and Falkirk won at P7, so honours were well spread. Hillfoots were awarded the accolade of the Most Sporting Club, as voted by the coaches and players.
 
Iain Somerville, Convenor of Strathendrick Minis and Organiser of the event said: “Our charity festival is a great finale to the mini rugby season with teams competing at all levels from p3-p7. The emphasis is on fun, playing and raising money for the charities through sponsorship, prize draw, tombola and donations. With many families benefitting from the local hospices it is good way to give something back from our sport.

“Every participating child received a medal and all loved the atmosphere as well as improving their rugby potential. This has become a highlight in the mini rugby season and we were delighted to have such a great turnout from central and west of Scotland. We look forward to next year’s event.”
 
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PHOTOGRAPHS ARE AVAILABLE
Images shown are:
Top: Fergus Haig from Strathendrick (in blue) goes to score a try against Alloa/Allan Glens
Middle: GHK break away from Hillfoots
Bottom: A tough tussle between Glasgow Accies and GHA

For further information please contact:
Fenella Taylor
Tel: 01389 830390 Mobile: 07721 324696
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