THIS week saw the 10th Annual Festival of Rugby to take place in Talgarth, Powys at Gwernyfed RFC and was supported by the newly formed Red Kites Girls rugby franchise which is based there.

The day, which is organised by Nicola Jones, the 5x60 Development Officer for Powys and supported by Dyfed-Powys School Community Police Officer PC Mike Eckley, sees primary school children from the Gwernyfed School Cluster coming together for a day of rugby skills and competition.

Each year, all the Primary Schools in the Talgarth area are actively encouraged to get involved and this year the event saw around 255 children, an increase of 115 from last year, from six of the schools in the area taking part in the skills day.

This year children from Years 3-6 from Bronllys, Clyro, Hay, Llyswen, Llangorse, and Talgarth schools took part in the day.

In the morning, the children enjoyed skills sessions such as rugby rounders, which was led by students from Gwernyfed High School - many of which would have taken part in previous years of the festival of rugby.

These students did a fantastic job of coaching the primary-aged children, encouraging them and teaching them skills to help them in the afternoon. Work which Red Kites development officer Bronnie Jones had started during taster sessions at each of the schools in the weeks prior to the event.

After the morning spent learning rugby skills, the pitch was split into three pitches; a Year 5 and 6 pitch boys, a Year 3 to 6 girls and a Year 3 and 4 boys, where the children got to take part in seven-aside games to showcase what they had learnt.

It was an opportunity for parents and grandparents to turn out and see their children and grandchildren in action, and see the children supporting each other and cheering each other on as they all played.

After the ‘round robin’ had been played a team from each pitch was picked as a Chwarae Tag winner; with Llyswen CW winning the Year 3-6 girls award and the Dyfed Powys Police Shield; Llangorse CW winning Year 5 & 6 boys award and were winners of the Healthy Schools Shield and and finally Hay winning the Year 3 & 4 boys award and the Nicky Evans’s Memorial Shield.

School Community Police Officer PC Mike Eckley said: “The day just gets better and better. This is the tenth time we’ve run this day, which is all about making new friends and using sport as a positive citizenship vehicle within the community.

“Hopefully this is the first step to guide children into sport and away from anti-social behaviour.

“Many thanks to Nicola Jones for organising, the Red Kites and Gwernyfed RFC for their support and the use of their pitches.”

If you would like to become involved in girls rugby or want further information then contact Ceri Morgan on [email protected]