BASINGSTOKE RFC will be running a Minis Rugby Festival on Sunday November 6 for the under-seven to under-12 age groups.

They are already have 700 players registered with teams coming from across Hampshire, Berkshire and Surrey for a fun filled day of rugby.

The idea behind the festival is to promote the fundamentals of rugby, teamwork, respect, enjoyment, discipline and sportsmanship.

This will be a mixed ability festival designed to encourage equal opportunity and playing time for all minis players with the emphasis on acknowledging effort, improvement and teamwork and having fun, not just winning.

Each team will play a series of five games each against teams of similar mixed ability.

The event is designed to encourage play in a fun, healthy environment for the positive development of all players and a great day out for all.

To this end there will be trophies for teams judged to uphold the core values of the sport and also a medal and certificate for each player.

The Basingstoke RFC Festival is approved by the England RFU, and will of course use the new rules of play which have been designed to focus on the gradual introduction of skills and concepts and support development, growing confidence and self-esteem.

The festival at Down Grange will start from 10am and there is parking at Down Grange and Stratton Park from 9am.

If you would like any further details on the festival, please contact our festival co-ordinator Karen Brown at brown_karen@btinternet.com or 07939 080210.

Basingstoke RFC are currently welcoming new youth members to the club across the under-six to under-16 age groups, boys and girls are welcome.

Please see the club's website basingstokerfc.com for more details.