Festival Report: Barnes Minis Schools Tag Rugby Festival – Year 5 & 6
Our first Minis and Local Primary Schools collaboration on 14th October 2016 was a supremely successful event. It was held as a curtain-raiser to the Barnes RFC 2nd XV fixture versus Esher on the Rosslyn Park 4G pitch under floodlights. In a single evening, the we witnessed the best of the Barnes “One Club” spirit with the Senior, Junior and Minis ranks integrating in the enjoyment of rugby at its finest.
We hosted 10 primary school’s teams: Barnes Primary, St. Osmund’s, Harrodian, St. Mary’s, All Saint’s, Our Lady of Victories, Brandlehow, Sheen Mount, Kew River and Jacques Prévert / French Lycees.
Barnes RFC Minis put out two Barbarians teams who loved the opportunity to compete against their club-mates in different colours. It was fantastic to see all the Barnes Minis players enjoying playing rugby with their mates against their mates in the school sides.
The format was Tag rugby on a quarter pitch playing almost continuously. The excitement was tangible from kids, teachers, coaches and parents alike. We were also blessed with celebrity presence, through Charlie Hayter – England 7s player and Serge Betsen – France and Wasps rugby legend! They were the icing on the cake!
Our thanks go to the many volunteers who make these things happen and make everyone’s lives much richer as a result. The general consensus is that we would all love to spend more evenings like this together. Rugby in the Community was the winner!
Organisers: Chris Williams, Jason Betteley, Charles Roberts
Referees: Ed Rodney-Smith, Nick Bell, Michael Kennedy, Jim Purves
Sponsor: Nick Hamilton, Level Best Solutions
Catering: Suzy Keating, Sarah Betteley, Rachel William
2nd XV Coach: Paul Spencer (originator)
Medic: Georgia Whitfield
Pitch Marshalls:Karen Beaver, Flynn Keating, Calum Betteley, Jake Shaw, Ted Wainman
Barnes Baba’s Coach: Andy Beaver, Nick Priestley
The feedback from the schools is already very positive and we have the Year 3&4 festival this Friday, 21st October, 6pm – 7.30pm, preceding the Barnes RFC vs Blackheath RFC 2nd XV fixture. See you all there!
