This weekend sees Whitchurch Rugby Club host more than 2000 players at the 40th Anniversary of the Minis and Juniors Festival.

The Mini and Juniors section was started back in 1975 by Norman Tinsley ably assisted by Whitchurch team mates Tom Martin, Andy and Margaret McPherson, Geraint Jones and Doug Haywood. Asked why Norman started the section he said – I wanted to give something back to the club which had given me so much. I gained lifelong friends from playing rugby at Whitchurch and wanted to give younger generations the opportunity to do the same.

Over the 40 years the Whitchurch Mini and Junior Festival have welcomed over 60,000 children from 24 different Counties and also France which thrills Norman and he’s has said that he’s overjoyed that it is going from strength to strength and is widely considered as being the best Mini and Juniors Festival in the Country.

Neil McIver, Chairman of the Mini and Juniors Section, it’s lovely to see all the teams extol the values of rugby – respect, honour and loyalty, winning with dignity and lose with honour. We expect amazing weather this weekend which helps the day have a real buzz about it. It would be lovely to see people from Whitchurch and the surrounding areas come and support our stars of the future.

2018 sees the club host teams from 14 different clubs with many more waiting in the wings for an invite.