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

They already have 700 players registered with teams coming from across Hampshire, Berkshire and Surrey and it looks set to be 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.

They intend the event to be 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 action starts at 10am and if you would like any further details on the festival, please contact the festival co-ordinator Vince Taylor at brfc-minisfestival@hotmail.com or ring 07984120137.

Basingstoke RFC are currently welcoming new youth members right across the club from under-six to under-16, both boys and girls are welcome. Please see their website for more details basingstokerfc.com